Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has expressed his admiration for the depth of Chelsea’s squad this season, predicting a potential top 4 finish. This comes as a significant shift in opinion from the former Liverpool defender who had previously criticized Chelsea's recruitment policy.
Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has an impressive array of talent at his disposal. Speaking to a Blues fan on The Overlap, Carragher acknowledged the quality and depth of the squad under Maresca's leadership. He now sees Champions League qualification as not just a dream but a realistic possibility for Chelsea.
A swift u-turn from Carragher
Carragher’s recent praise marks quite the turnaround from his previous stance. Just over a month ago, he hit out at Chelsea for their recruitment policy. He criticised them for signing too many players and leaving their manager with an overly large squad. However, in light of recent performances and results, Carragher now believes that this very squad depth could be instrumental in securing them a top 4 finish in Premier League standings - proving that pundits can indeed change their views based on evolving circumstances.
Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, said:
“I watched a game the other week, it was Bournemouth, the players you were bringing on, I don’t know if that’ll be a problem later on but it was like Felix coming on, Neto coming on, Sancho, wow.”
“I didn’t have Chelsea anywhere near top 4 or think they could challenge but now looks like I think you could.”
As they prepare to face Brighton this Saturday afternoon, Chelsea currently sits fifth place in the Premier League table - just three points shy off Manchester City who are leading the pack.
When it comes to direct competitors for Champions League qualification spots; Aston Villa is two points ahead sitting comfortably at third place while Newcastle shares equal points with them at sixth position. Tottenham (10th) and Manchester United (11th) are trailing behind by three additional points. Despite these promising standings though, Coach Maresca still has plenty of work ahead to ensure consistent performance levels from his team.
Moving forward under Maresca
While there are challenges ahead, all signs suggest that Enzo Maresca is steering the team in the right direction. As we pointed out in an article earlier this week, statistical analysis indicates positive trends under the Italian's leadership.
While Carragher's change of heart may seem sudden to some, it reflects a broader recognition of Chelsea's potential this season. The depth and quality of their squad could indeed be a significant factor in their quest for a top 4 finish and Champions League qualification.
