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It’s been two years since Chelsea last won the Premier League title, after Antonio Conte led the Blues to the title in just his first season in charge of the club.
Since Chelsea’s title triumph in the 2016/17 campaign, Manchester City have won the Premier League back to back, and last season’s title race went down the wire, with Liverpool going neck to neck with Pep Guardiola’s, losing the title on the last day of the season by just a point.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has predicted another tough title race between Liverpool and Manchester City, and surprisingly, he didn’t tip Chelsea to even make top four.
Murphy told the Daily Mail: “Manchester City and Liverpool were 25 points clear of the field last season.
“I’m sure they won’t quite repeat their unbelievable results but it will still be a two-horse race for the title. The gap is too big for their rivals to make up in one go.
“A fully-fit Kevin de Bruyne will give City a boost, he is one of the best midfield players in the world, but I’m still backing Liverpool to turn around the one-point deficit from last May.
“Partly it’s because City could subconsciously prioritise the Champions League, having won the Premier League twice in a row.
“The main reason, however, is the departure of Vincent Kompany, their leader for so long.
“Kompany can be replaced on the pitch but in the dressing room and training ground it will be impossible to find someone with his experience, credibility and gravitas.”
Explaining why he believes United will break into the top four, Murphy said: “I’ve got a feeling they will improve through financial power – particularly now they have signed Harry Maguire – and will join Tottenham in the top four.
“That will mean heartbreak for Chelsea. They have made the right appointments in Frank Lampard and Jody Morris but will have to be patient.
“They have lost Eden Hazard, are under a transfer ban and are without the injured Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.”
