New Bees midfielder Josh McEachran reckons the changes at Griffin Park over the summer have Brentford set on a course to promotion.

The 22-year-old former Chelsea midfielder joined up with his new team-mates in Portugal last week having penned a four-year deal after calling time on his 15-year stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Bees lost out to Middlesbrough in the Championship play-offs last term before replacing boss Mark Warburton with new head coach Marinus Djikhuizen.

The overhaul has continued at pace with Tony Craig quitting the club for Millwall, Alfie Mawson heading to Barnsley and striker Will Grigg signing for League One Wigan Athletic.

McEachran's arrival along with fellow midfielders Konstantin Kerschbaumer and Ryan Williams heaps the pressure of Jonathan Douglas, with Toumani Diagouraga, Marcus Tebar, Alan McCormack and Alan Judge capable of filling the holding midfield role.

Douglas scored in last week’s friendly win over Sporting Clube Farense in Portugal, but the 32-year-old  - one of the club’s star men last term – has not been assured his future at the club is secure.

McEachran admits the arrival of fresh blood – including record signing Andreas Bjelland - coupled with last term’s top six finish has fans anticipating the same again this term.

 “Considering they were in League One two seasons ago, the season they had last year means the expectations are big,” he said.

“We want to get promoted I think we have the team , the squad and the staff to do that.

“The expectations are big but I think we can handle it.”

McEachran has had loan spells at Middlesbrough, Watford, Swansea City, Wigan and Vitesse Arnhem during five years as a full professional at Chelsea.

And while he has traded the pressure of being associated with the Blues, moving to Griffin Park brings its own demands.

“It was time to get out of Chelsea. Get out, get settled and play football week in, week out,” he added.

“There is big pressure on your shoulders when you play in the Champions League as a 17-year-old , but it is a good pressure to have really.

“Chelsea the badge has been taken off me now, so there is not as much pressure - Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“There is still a lot pressure here because the expectations are big and now I’m just excited to be here and looking forward to just playing football.”