By JAMES COHEN
Published: 02:57 EST, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 03:03 EST, 2 December 2024
Gary Neville has claimed that Chelsea are not title contenders despite their strong start to the 2024-25 campaign.
The Blues moved in to joint-second in the Premier League table after producing a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer saw Chelsea win to move level on points with title contenders and local rivals Arsenal.
Enzo Maresca's side now sit two points above Man City and just nine behind first-placed Liverpool but, despite this, Neville insists they are not title contenders.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: 'To be honest, it feels too early for Chelsea. Even though they're level on points [with Arsenal].
'It doesn't feel as though Chelsea will go and win it. I still feel it's going to be Arsenal, if anybody, who will catch Liverpool in this moment in time.
Chelsea moved up to joint-second in the Premier League table after beating Aston Villa 3-0
Despite their scintillating form, Gary Neville suggested the Blues are not title contenders
'But you're right, Chelsea are having a fantastic season. Maresca has got a stability there that's been difficult to find - so well done to them. The Cole Palmer goal was absolutely wonderful. But I don't feel like they're there for the title. I don't sense it really'.
Since the arrival of co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly in May 2022, the west London giants have struggled to find consistency on the football pitch.
In 2022-23, they finished 12th. The following season, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, they mustered a sixth-placed finish.
After the match, Palmer shared a photo of a conversation he had with Villa star Morgan Rogers prior to the clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
After netting the third goal in Chelsea's comfortable victory, Palmer took to social media to show off his player of the match award. Alongside the honour, he displayed an image of a conversation he had had with Rogers prior to the game on social media.
Palmer revealed that the two England internationals had engaged in some pre-match banter over Snapchat earlier this week.
Rogers initiated the exchange by claiming Palmer would not be adding to his impressive goal tally this season when Unai Emery's side travelled to Stamford Bridge.
Palmer prophetically responded that the player of the match award would be coming home with him, and added a screenshot of the exchange next to his award to his Instagram story following the game.
Neville did heap praise on Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca for the work he's done to the side
The pair played together in Manchester City's academy before their respective moves away from the Etihad and Rogers claimed earlier this season his former team-mate had stolen his iconic celebration from him.
The Blues are currently five games unbeaten in the league, with their last defeat coming back in October when they were bested 2-1 by Liverpool.
Having enjoyed breakout success during his prolific first season in west London, 22-year-old Palmer has shown no signs of slowing down.
He currently sits joint-fourth in the top flight scoring charts, with team-mate Jackson joining him on eight goals for the campaign thus far.