Man United legend Patrice Evra recently made a claim about Chelsea that might not go down well with the Premier League’s other top clubs.
Evra was at Old Trafford during one of the greatest eras of English football.
The five-time Premier League champion was part of a United side that dominated for large parts of the 2000s, but their biggest rival across that spell was Chelsea.
That’s according to the man himself, and the reasoning makes for an enjoyable read.
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Enzo Maresca of Chelsea celebrates
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Patrice Evra explains the difference with Chelsea
There was a seven-season stretch where the title was only ending up in one of two places — Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.
From Chelsea’s first-ever Premier League title under Jose Mourinho through to 2010/11, they dominated English football.
That’s why Evra sees the Blues as a different level of rival, and he puts it brilliantly.
Patrice Evra working as a pundit
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As ESPN shared on X, he said: “When you win against Manchester City, you win against the noisy neighbours. When you win against Liverpool, you were winning against the enemy. When you win against Arsenal, you were winning against your babies.
“When you win against Chelsea, it means you were going to win the league. That’s why I have so much respect for Chelsea.”
Certainly one way of putting it. Evra has never been shy about rocking the boat with other fanbases.
Chelsea and Arsenal tasked with breaking another streak
When you look at the league today, you would say parity is at an all-time high.
English teams are dominating in the Champions League and it really feels like there’s at least five teams who could theoretically put on a title charge.
That said, we’re in quite a similar moment to the days of Evra, whereby the title has been shared between Man City and Liverpool for the past eight seasons since Chelsea’s title run in 2016/17.
Chelsea are a few years behind Arsenal on paper at least, but both sides have the same mission of toppling the duopoly that currently exists.
Can Chelsea win the Premier League title this season?
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This season feels like the best chance, with Liverpool faltering and City not the dominant force they have been over the past decade.
Arsenal have tried and failed for three seasons running. They are undeniably favourites to get over the line, but the Blues are building something exciting.
If they can stop dropping points in the games they are expected to win, it won’t be long before they catch up to their London rivals.
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