Paul Merson has stated that Chelsea ‘probably have the strongest squad in the Premier League’ ahead of their showdown against Tottenham.
Arsenal icon and football pundit Merson – a lifelong Chelsea fan – is backing the Blues to beat Spurs away from home in their next game.
Chelsea have been flying under head coach Enzo Maresca this season with some pundits insisting that they must now be considered title challengers.
The Blues are currently second in the Premier League table – above Arsenal and Manchester City – with Maresca’s team seven points behind Liverpool.
Chelsea have some top players in their squad, including Cole Palmer, who has provided nine goals and six assists in 14 top-flight games this term.
Speaking ahead of the west Londoners’ trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘[Chelsea] have a good squad, probably the strongest in the Premier League.
‘But they played Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool this season and took just one point. That is why they are not contenders yet.’
Merson added: ‘If you’re a fan, Tottenham away from home is Chelsea’s biggest game of the season.
‘Chelsea lost in this fixture last season so this is a huge game. If they can win against Spurs, it will send a massive statement.
‘I won’t label Tottenham as one of the ‘big boys’ in the league but they are a team that can beat a lot of teams and we’ve seen that already this season.
‘If Chelsea secure a top-four finish and win a trophy, this would become a phenomenal season for them. Anything more than that would be incredible but unlikely.
‘Ange Postecoglou wants Tottenham to be entertaining that’s how they try to play.
‘Chelsea have better players in nearly every position and may have too much for Spurs to handle. Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Chelsea.’