Frank Lebouef, a former Chelsea centre-back and legend, has boldly declared that only two teams, Arsenal and Liverpool, are genuine contenders for the Premier League title this season, despite Chelsea’s impressive recent form. In an candid interview with ESPN FC, Lebouef dismissed Chelsea’s title aspirations, citing the team’s youth and inexperience as reasons for his skepticism.
Lebouef’s comments may come as a surprise to Chelsea fans who have seen their team’s ascension up the table, with four consecutive wins across competitions, including thrice in the Premier League. However, the Frenchman’s analysis is rooted in his extensive experience and knowledge of the league. Lebouef, who played for Chelsea from 1988 to 1993, knows the team’s strengths and weaknesses intimately.
The former defender acknowledges that Chelsea has built momentum in recent weeks, but believes that the team’s consistency and maturity are still lacking. “I don’t have Chelsea in the title race,” he said. “Only Arsenal and Liverpool for me.” Lebouef’s assessment is not without merit, as Chelsea’s performances have been patchy at best this season, with occasional moments of brilliance bookended by periods of lethargy.
In contrast, both Arsenal and Liverpool have demonstrated a level of consistency and cohesion that is hard to ignore. The Reds, in particular, have been an unstoppable force, with their only dropped points coming in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle United last weekend. Their manager, Jürgen Klopp, has expertly marshaled his troops, adapting to each opponent with a flexibility that has yielded impressive results.
Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, has also shown signs of improvement, with their 1-1 draw at Chelsea being a particular highlight. The Gunners have scored 24 goals in 14 league matches, with forward duo Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka leading the charge.
While Chelsea’s recent wins have been impressive, it is difficult to envision the team keeping this level of form up over the long haul. The Blues have been guilty of making poor defensive mistakes and have struggled to produce consistent performances against the top sides. Until they can find a way to balance their attacking flair with a solid defensive foundation, it is hard to see them as genuine title contenders.
