Chelsea forward Cole Palmer scoffed at the suggestion that his side were in the Premier League title race.
The invariably blunt playmaker didn't hide his disdain for that particular line of questioning after Chelsea's easy 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Palmer scored the third and final goal, collecting the ball on the edge of the box and bending a vicious effort beyond the reach of substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
That triumph left Chelsea third in the Premier League table, although they have the exact same points and goal difference as second-placed Arsenal. While the Gunners have openly discussed their aspirations of chasing down league-leading Liverpool, Chelsea are operating under a blanket approach of denial.
With a mix of bemusement and annoyance washing across his face, Palmer shut down any title talk in an interview after Sunday's victory over Villa. "It's too early," he sniffed.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer scored his eighth goal of the season against Aston Villa / Robin Jones/GettyImages
"If we keep winning then we'll be near the top four, but like the gaffer said Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have been together for more than five years, whereas we've only been together for a season. We just want to keep going and winning the games."
As Palmer alluded to, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been at pains to downplay his side's chances of challenging for the Premier League title. "I think we are not ready to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal and City for many reasons and because we win today I'm not going to change my idea," the Italian boss huffed on Sunday.
Chelsea have only been beaten by league-leading Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City in England's top flight this season. After a tough start to the campaign, the Blues have been treated to a seemingly favourable fixture list over the festive period.
Maresca's side don't play a team currently inside the Premier League's top six until travelling to City's Etihad Stadium on 25 January. Chelsea are up against five of the bottom six before that trip north, starting with a visit to 20th-placed Southampton on Wednesday night.
If the west London outfit continue to pick up points during this enticing slate of matches, Palmer and Maresca won't be able to deny their title credentials for much longer.
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