Michael Essien plans to repay Chelsea's support during his injury nightmare by driving them to the title.
The powerful Ghana midfielder missed 11 months of football in the last two seasons due to two severe knee injuries.
But Blues owner Roman Abramovich still sanctioned the award of a lucrative contract extension in the summer.
Essien, a formidable presence in the Chelsea midfield, said: "I've had two serious injuries and these are the kind that can end your career.
I'm lucky enough to be back on the pitch and have put everything behind me.
"Most players who have been out for so long with an injury don't get a new contract.
"This shows the club have great confidence in me. It was difficult watching Chelsea win the double last season and to also miss the World Cup but injuries are part of the game.
"You have to accept it. I'm just happy they made it possible for me to be back.
"I'm delighted and want to repay the club with my performances and if we win something that will be good."
Goals from Didier Drogba and Alex enabled Chelsea to pull four points clear of Manchester City.
Chelsea are five points clear of third-placed Manchester United and seven ahead of Arsenal in fourth.
Although Blues No.2 Ray Wilkins wrote off City's chances on Sunday due to a lack of experience, Essien believes the men from Eastlands could yet prove their doubters wrong.
Wilkins said: "City as fabulous a group of footballers as they have, have got to gel as a unit.
"They are getting results and good luck to them as well but its never easy when you are just pulling guys together and hoping that it will come together."
Yet Carlo Ancelotti's side led from the front for most of last season but ended up only clinching first place on the final day of the campaign.
And Essien added: "We led for much of last season but last season is gone. We have a new season now and it will be decided at the end.
"Manchester City are our closest challengers right now. You can see they made good signings and they will be up for it.
"We will see what happens. I don't know if they will have the stamina but they have the players to go out and do the job.
"Maybe we have an advantage because we know what it takes to win the League but every season is different.
"We have to keep going. The rest of the teams are there and will be fighting for it. It is up to us to get as many points as we can."