Daniel Sturridge makes bold Chelsea Premier League title prediction

The Blues have been tipped to make a challenge for the Premier League title in 2025/26

Daniel Sturridge believes Chelsea will challenge for the Premier League title next season. The Blues have not challenged for the title since they won it in the 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte.

New head coach Enzo Maresca has got them playing some good football already early in his tenure at Stamford Bridge. Taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, it was expected to be a bit of a transition season in west London.

That may still be the case, particularly after Chelsea lost 2-1 against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. But things have certainly been brighter than many would have expected.

And former Blues star Sturridge has backed his old team to make a challenge for the Premier League title next season. Sturridge was in the Sky Sports stuido as two of his former teams took on each other at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking about Maresca ahead of kick-off, the former England man said: "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 I believe they will be right in the thick of things and challenge next year."

Fellow pundit Micah Richards was not so sure, suggesting "time will tell" on the title front. He added: "I think Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool are more ruthless, I think Chelsea are good in moments." Jamie Carragher meanwhile believed Chelsea were two transfer still away from challenging the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

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