Dubai: Chelsea aren’t out of the Premier League title chase yet, but they can’t afford any more slip-ups, according to former Blues forward Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The defending champions are fourth in the table, nine points behind leaders Manchester City, having suffered defeats to Burnley, City and Crystal Palace, in their first nine games.
“They are never out of the running but they can’t afford any more slip ups,” said Gudjohnsen, who scored 54 goals in 186 appearances for the Londoners between 2000 and 2006, winning back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been a bad start it’s just been indifferent compared to last season, where they started fairly slow, grew into it, and fully deserved the title.
“This year there have been a few hiccups, the transfer window was a bit slow, then there was the Diego Costa thing, and Eden Hazard being injured. But he’s come back like a new player, and Alvaro Morata has done better than what I expected. So it’s not bad just indifferent, but they have got a long way to go.
“The two Manchester clubs are setting the standard this year and are looking very strong, so it’s going to be an interesting season. Whether Chelsea can push on, only the next few months will tell.”
