BLUES TO CONTEND NEXT TERM, SAYS ZOLA

Club legend impressed by progress under Maresca, backs young players to come good

- Melvyn Teoh

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca may have repeatedly dismissed his side's chances of mounting a title tilt in the 2024-25 campaign, but Blues legend Gianfranco Zola has backed them to be contenders next season.

The former Italy international believes that if Maresca's men continue on their current trajectory, they can challenge the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal next term "for sure".

Zola, 58, was speaking at lyf Funan Singapore on Dec 1 as part of Chelsea's international fan engagement programme, The Famous CFC, organised by the club's official global hotels partner Ascott.

After their 3-0 win over Aston Villa that night, the five-time Premier League champions, who won their last title under Antonio Conte in 2016-17, rose to third in the table, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who faced Manchester City in a later game.

Asked about Chelsea's title hopes this season, Zola said: "I don't know if we are title contenders this year. The level of competition is very high, there are teams that are a little bit ahead of us.

"We all know that Manchester City are going through a difficult moment, but (I am) 100 per cent sure that they will be back.