I think Chelsea can compete with Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal - and Arne Slot will suffer dip

Former Manchester City defender Richard Dunne believes Chelsea are capable of competing for this season's Premier League title. However, Dunne has predicted the Blues will eventually fall off in comparison to Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal.

After 11 matches of the top-flight season, Chelsea are sitting prettily in third-place. On 19 points, Chelsea are level with the Gunners and ahead of them on goal difference, while the Blues are four behind Man City and nine adrift of leaders Liverpool.

The Reds are on 28 points from a possible 33 under new head coach Arne Slot this season. A defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield and a draw away at Arsenal are the only two games Liverpool have dropped points in.

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However, Dunne, who waxed lyrical about Chelsea's credentials, has predicted Liverpool and Slot to suffer at some point during the season - and the other teams around the Reds to therefore catch them up.

"With the way the season has started, I think there's going to be maybe a couple more teams who are capable of putting themselves in the title race with the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal because the league is so competitive and every team is capable of winning games," Dunne said to Gambling Zone.

"Chelsea can keep themselves involved. They seem to have really got themselves together for the first time in ages, because for the last few years, they were all over the place.

"They've really got themselves together, they're playing really well and they've obviously got a really strong squad. I think they can put together a decent season this year.

"We know the issues that Man City and Arsenal have had in terms of not being at their best this season. I think that will happen to Liverpool at some stage in the season as well; they will have a little dip.

"I think the gap will be closer between the top teams this season. I think the season is set up for an exciting title race and hopefully there will be three or four involved in it."

For Chelsea, though, their sights seem to be set on reaching the top four. Enzo Maresca has done a brilliant job thus far and while the new head coach was not set a specific target by the club's hierarchy at the start of the season, fourth-place would be some achievement considering the circumstances.

Dunne continued: "In the top four, I would definitely go with Chelsea at the moment. I think they'll improve and become more consistent as the season goes on.

"They have a squad that can cope with injuries to key players. They've got so much cover. From an attacking point of view, they have some wonderful talent.

"I can't see them having a dry spell in front of goal at any point in the season because of the quality they've got in reserve. They'll always have different creative and attacking options to turn to.

"I don't think Chelsea will come close to winning the league. I think they could be in the race for a bit, but, in my eyes, they'd probably be the favourites for fourth place because of the quality they have in the squad."

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium to take on former club Leicester City.