"They're heading in the right direction" – Daniel Sturridge makes confident Chelsea Premier League title prediction
Ex-Chelsea and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has boldly claimed that the west London outfit will challenge for the Premier League title in the 2025-26 campaign.
The Blues, who finished sixth under Mauricio Pochettino last season, have opened the ongoing 2024-25 season on a good note. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, they have lost just three of their 12 total matches.
Ahead of Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Anfield, Sturridge lavished huge praise on Maresca. Opining on the former Manchester City assistant manager, he said (h/t football.london):
"I think he's done amazing, to come in and for his style tactically to be implemented in a short space of time and to get players to improve as well, going forward they're so exciting, all across the pitch they have improved. They're heading in the right direction, to say they're going to challenge now is a stretch but I think next season, they will be right in the thick of things and challenge next year."
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards also pitched in:
"I think Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are more ruthless, I think Chelsea are good in moments."
The Blues are sixth in the 2024-25 Premier League table with 14 points from eight matches. They have scored an impressive 17 goals and conceded 10 goals so far, winning four league games in the process.
Maresca's outfit will next host Newcastle United in the Premier League on October 27 before facing Manchester United at Old Trafford on November 3. They will then take on city rivals Arsenal on November 10.
Jamie Carragher hits out at Chelsea star
Earlier on Sunday (October 20), Liverpool beat the Blues 2-1 in their league match at Anfield. Mohamed Salah scored the opener from the penalty spot before Nicolas Jackson restored parity in 48th minute. However, Curtis Jones' 51st-minute astute finish decided the clash.
After the end of the encounter, Liverpool great Jamie Carragher slammed Chelsea defender Reece James for letting Jones get at the end of Mohamed Salah's cross. He said (h/t football.london):
"It's so poor from Chelsea's point of view. Reece James does really poor. You see him in that position, he ambles away really. I don't think it is [rustiness], he can see him [Jones]. He's ambling across, he's two yards onside, his arms up... it's lazy defending."
James, 24, returned to action this Sunday after recovering from a hamstring injury. He was substituted off in the 53rd minute of the match.