Jamie Carragher has opined on Chelsea
Jamie Carragher has opined on Chelsea
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Chelsea will be unable to lift the Premier League title at the end of the season due to their comparatively poor defensive department.
Chelsea, who finished sixth under former manager Mauricio Pochettino last campaign, are in second spot in the 2024-25 Premier League standings. They are on 34 points, just two behind league leaders Liverpool, from 16 games.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher showered praise on Enzo Maresca's side for their excellent start to the ongoing Premier League season. He said:
"They are the real deal. When you listen to the manager speak, and he said it at the start of the season in his job interview, he said this team can be really successful in the next two, three or four years because of the age profile of the squad. They've got some great attacking players, they're brilliant in the centre of the field. And they are in a title challenge, there's no doubt about that."
Revealing why Chelsea will fail to win the title, Carragher continued:
"I don't personally think Chelsea will win the league this season. At centre-back, at goalkeeper, Arsenal and Liverpool are stronger in that area and I think you need top players in that area if you're going to win a league title. I might be proven wrong."
Carragher, who represented the Reds 737 times as a player, concluded:
"The one thing in their favour is they have a much less busy schedule. [Enzo Maresca] can change the whole team for European games because of the competition they're in. Arsenal and Liverpool don't have that luxury, qualifying for the Champions League in the second half of the season."
The Blues, who are currently atop the UEFA Conference League table, will next be in action in the Premier League at Everton on Sunday (December 22).
Liverpool eyeing move for Chelsea defender
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Liverpool are interested in roping in Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto owing to Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation. They are set to face difficult competition from Manchester City in the future.
Since departing Olympique Lyonnais in a potential deal worth over £30 million in 2023, Gusto has started 38 of his 52 appearances across competitions for the Blues. The 21-year-old has provided 11 assists for his current club so far.
Meanwhile, the Reds are reportedly in talks to offer Alexander-Arnold a new contract with the star's current deal set to expire next June. However, they are in danger of losing the defender to La Liga giants Real Madrid next summer.