Chelsea to drop points? Shearer thinks so! - Source: Getty
Chelsea to drop points? Shearer thinks so! - Source: Getty
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has predicted that Chelsea will fail to beat Everton on Saturday. The Englishman believes the Toffees will maintain their unbeaten run in the league and grab a big point at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Chelsea put an end to their three-game winless streak in the Premier League last Saturday, when they thrashed Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues welcomed Moises Caicedo back to the line-up and looked assured in midfield, where Jordan Henderson impressed by scoring a brace.
Although Xabi Alonso managed to improve Chelsea over the course of the three-week-long international break, Shearer is still not convinced by their defending. The Newcastle legend admitted it is hard to go against the Blues when they have a prolific front-three in the form of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
Shearer believes Alonso's team will score, but he backed Everton also to find the back of the net. He wrote in his column for Metro:
"I see Everton still being unbeaten and I’m going to go for a draw. I think it is really tough to call though. With that forward line for Chelsea of Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro, you’d do well to stop them, but I think Everton will also score as well because I’m not convinced by Chelsea defensively and I think it will be a score draw."
Shearer tipped his hat towards the Blues' front-three for their movement and ability to handle the ball effectively. He feels that if all three of them remain fit throughout the season, Alonso's team will be a treat to watch.
Shearer added:
"That front three for Chelsea are brilliant. They offer a bit of class in different ways. Their movement is superb as well as ability to handle the ball. If they can keep those three fit, they are a great watch.
"They’re very entertaining because they do concede goals, but they flew out the blocks last week, didn’t they? That’s what they can do to you. They can hurt you. However, I’m going to go for a score draw against Everton."
Notably, Everton were held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City last weekend in the Premier League. David Moyes' team conceded an equaliser in the 74th minute as Mohamed Belloumi salvaged a point for Hull.
Chelsea captain Reece James undergoes knee surgery, set to miss entirety of 2026
The Blues' faithful have received another disappointing news in terms of Reece James' fitness. The full-back was absent from the squad that beat Bournemouth 5-1 last weekend.
Further tests were conducted on him and it confirmed the need for a minor knee surgery. The club have confirmed that their captain underwent the procedure and will now begin his recovery.
James remains unlikely to play at least until the turn of the year.