Jamie O’Hara believes Chelsea can fight to win the Premier League this season.
Enzo Maresca‘s side beat Brighton 4-2 on Saturday, courtesy of a record-breaking four goals from Cole Palmer with Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba scoring the goals for the Seagulls.
It makes the Blues the highest scorers in the Premier League this season, bagging 15 so far, with Manchester City just behind them on 14.
After their four wins in the last five games, even talkSPORT host O’Hara – who rarely gives love to his co-star Jason Cundy‘s team – is singing their praises.
So much so he thinks they could win the league for the first time since 2017.
Speaking on talkSPORT after Chelsea‘s win, O’Hara said: “Chelsea look good. Cole Palmer is an absolute joy to watch, every time he gets the ball something happens.
“Chelsea are the real deal. I don’t care what anyone says. Everyone was digging them out at the start of the season for what they were doing and how they were treating players.
“It looks like they’ve got it right. What a squad they’ve got.
“I’m telling you, they can fight for the title. They are that good.”
But despite believing in Chelsea’s hype this season, O’Hara does think they have a key flaw that could stand in their way.
He continued: “The one issue they have is Robert Sanchez and the back four. But going forward they are frightening.”
Sanchez had come out to claim a Brighton chance at the start of the game, but was beaten by Rutter, who tucked his header into the goal.
3
3
The Blues goalkeeper does have the joint-second most clean sheets in the league this season though, with two to his name.
He’s level with Nottingham Forest‘s Matz Sels.
Arsenal‘s David Raya, Manchester United‘s Andre Onana and Liverpool‘s Alisson Becker have three respectively.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have conceded seven goals in total in the league, with the sides above them in the table giving away less. Manchester City, who remain top, have conceded six.
Second-placed Arsenal have let in five, while Liverpool have coneded just one goal.
But despite O’Hara’s compliments, ex-Blues player Cundy is keeping his feet on the ground.
He said: “We are not in a title race. We are the sort of team who can do this to Brighton but then can play Forest next weekend and lose 2-1.
“[Last time] we had Hazard, John Terry, Petr Cech in goal.
“Top four, absolutely, maybe third. To get past Arsenal, who are way down the line than we are, and City too is too much.
“We’ve got a chance of getting in the top four, that’s our battle.
“We are not quite ready to win it yet.”
