Chelsea take on Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend but according to Jason McAteer, the Blues are not in the title race despite what happens on Saturday.
Right now Man City are below the Blues on the league table – nine points behind league leaders Liverpool and according to many people if Lampard’s men can beat City then they will surely be in the Premier League title race.
McAteer though feel despite both Leicester and Chelsea playing such fine football this season, it will be Liverpool and Man City who will challenge for the title.
“I still think there will be a title race and it will be between Liverpool and Man City,” McAteer told the Racing Post[as reported].
“What Brendan Rodgers is doing at Leicester is outstanding and the job Frank Lampard is doing at Chelsea is probably even more impressive.
“I remember speaking to Frank when Chelsea and Liverpool played the Super Cup in Istanbul and you could hear his concerns.
“Where were the goals going to come from? Could Mason Mount do for Chelsea what he had done for Derby? Would he miss Antonio Rudiger? But he and his players have answered all those questions and more.
“I’m a big fan of Frank and think Chelsea can continue to improve but they aren’t title contenders this season.
“Teams such as Chelsea and Leicester could easily go on a run of back-to-back losses, or picking up just a couple of draws in three matches, and that can lose you serious ground given the high standard set by Liverpool and City.”
Verdict:
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches and their recent match vs Ajax proved this side is destined for great things.
But as good as they might be performing this season, these bunch of youngsters are sure to falter at some point.
And frankly, the likes of Man City and Liverpool are playing such fine football that even a minor slip-up would throw the Blues out of the title race this season.
But having said that though Lampard’s main aim will be to keep Champions League football at the club next season and he can achieve that come May then surely it will be a job well done for him.
