Arsenal won the Premier League title in convincing style last season and now a legend of the club is predicting Chelsea to become their greatest challengers to their crown.
The club’s second-highest scorer, Ian Wright, believes Xabi Alonso can transform Chelsea’s defensive organisation and help the Blues return to form after finishing 10th last season.Â
The former England striker and current broadcaster expects Alonso to have the biggest impact of the three new Premier League managers, predicting Chelsea will improve significantly under the Spaniard, while Enzo Maresca at Manchester City and Andoni Iraola at Liverpool could face tougher starts.
While fans will miss European nights at Stamford Bridge, Wright believes the lack of European football could give Chelsea a significant upturn in the club's domestic form this time around, in addition to the new manager.
"I fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. He’s brought in some experienced players, which they’ve needed for a while. I can see them getting into a good rhythm without European football."
The additions of the voices of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck in the changing rooms and on pitch is seen as vital, while the quality of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix added will inspire a lot of fans.
The Chelsea prediction comes as he delivered a warning to the North London Club as he identified more signings are required for the champions. That came before the move for Ezri Konsa was confirmed to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel MagalhĂŁes.
In the interview in The Metro, he also predicted good seasons for Tottenham under Roberto de Zerbi, Nottingham Forest, while a difficult season for Manchester City following an exodus of players and experience under Maresca.
The prediction is broadly echoed by UK bookmakers, with Chelsea ranked as the fourth or fifth favourite for the title, behind Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, with some also placing Manchester United ahead of the Blues.
A good start to the season and there is no reason to believe that Chelsea can one further and be the main contenders.
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