Sky Sports duo Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville disagree about Chelsea's Premier League title prospects this term.
On Sunday, Enzo Maresca's side climbed up to second in the Premier League by beating Spurs 4-3 after trailing 2-0. On the same day, Arsenal dropped points with a 1-1 draw to Fulham, meaning they remain third behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
Arne Slot's Reds had hoped to continue their impressive run of form on Saturday against Everton, only for Storm Darragh to lead to the postponement of the clash at Goodison Park. It means Liverpool now sits just four points clear of Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand on the Blues who are confounding expectations this term following a chaotic summer at Stamford Bridge.
With Manchester City also having dropped points on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and Arsenal looking profligate in front of goal right now, Chelsea look the in-form side in the Premier League after Liverpool. But while Carragher believes Chelsea are in the title race this season, Neville reckons they won't win the Premier League this term under Maresca.
"They are definitely in it [the title race]. You look at some of the attacking players, no team is perfect," said Carragher on Sky Sports following Chelsea's win over Spurs.
"I am talking about the goalkeeper who isn’t great. But there are probably areas in Liverpool’s team where you think they could improve there, the same with Arsenal and no doubt Manchester City right now.
Jamie Carragher has delivered a title theory regarding Chelsea
Jamie Carragher has delivered a title theory regarding Chelsea (Image: Sky Sports)
"But I just think certain positions almost feel more important than others when you think of teams who win the biggest prizes. That’s what would probably make me say right now… I still look at the goalkeeper, even today, they were a couple of clearances that Tottenham could have gotten a goal from.
"Maybe you can go to Everton and you lose that 1-0 because of a situation with the goalkeeper. You think at the game at Anfield, Chelsea played Liverpool off the park and Liverpool were delighted to get the final whistle. You look at that game and the goalkeeper let them down and I just think I look at Liverpool’s goalkeeper and even Arsenal’s goalkeeper, I think they are a level above Chelsea’s."
However, speaking on NBC Sports, Neville said: "I think he’s [Maresca] being clever and doing the right thing in managing expectations because I think he’s right, they’re not quite in the title race as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think they’ll win the title this year.
Gary Neville.
Gary Neville does not believe Chelsea will win the title this season (Image: NBC Sports/X)
"But obviously the closer they get, the more that question will be asked of him. He’s done a very good job. We knew he was a good coach but we didn’t know if he could manage this chaotic club over the last couple of years which has spent billions, that has basically chewed and spat out managers.
"What he’s done is absolutely brilliant in his first few months and I’ve been really impressed with him. Believe it or not, the two games that I’ve watched them this season are the two games that they’ve lost against Manchester City and Liverpool. But in both of those games, they went up in my estimation."
Liverpool.com says: "There's no doubt Chelsea are in the title race this season. They gave Liverpool a good game at Anfield and went toe to toe with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last month in a 1-1 draw. Ultimately, the Reds remain in an excellent position and would have been seven points clear of Chelsea had they played and beaten Everton this past weekend. That said, no game at Goodison Park is a guarantee - Liverpool will need to put in a performance to beat Everton in their game-in-hand when it does get scheduled to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League."