Chelsea are currently nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea are currently nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Liverpool great Steve Nicol has claimed that Chelsea will fail to sustain a Premier League title charge this season due to first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and star defender Wesley Fofana.
During an interaction on ESPN FC, Nicol was asked if the west London club can be considered title challengers due to their recent run of form. He replied:
"I don't think they are title contenders, no. I'm not a fan of the goalkeeper and I'm not a fan, particularly, of Fofana. It seems like recently they have taken less chances defensively. I wonder how long that lasts or if that's just something that Maresca has turned around and said: 'Right, we aren't doing this' or whether this is just a little fad where they have decided not to be overly taking chances."
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Sanchez, who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for close to £25 million in 2022, has made 13 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season. The 27-year-old Spaniard has kept just three shutouts and conceded 14 goals so far.
Fofana, on the other hand, has cemented himself as a vital starter for his club this campaign after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 23-year-old centre-back has started all 12 of his league appearances this term.
Liverpool legend claims Chelsea could secure spot ahead of Manchester City after 2-0 result
Earlier this Sunday, Liverpool handed Manchester City a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Anfield. The Reds extended their lead over the defending champions to 11 points as they are currently atop the league table with 34 points from 13 games.
After the end of the contest, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher asserted that the Blues could finish ahead of City in the Premier League this campaign. He told Sky Sports (h/t Metro):
"I look at Arsenal and Chelsea and the way they're looking right now, I think it will be difficult for Manchester City to finish above them if they don't go into the market in January. I don’t think Pep can fix that in terms of midfield. You need the right players in there."
Carragher, who played for Liverpool 737 times as a player, added:
"Right now, I could see City losing another four or five games between now and the end of the season. I look at the energy Arsenal have got and the energy and young players Chelsea have got, I think it will be difficult for City to finish above either of them."
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Chelsea are third with 25 points from 13 Premier League matches now.