Gary Neville believes Chelsea have enough to finish in the top five and secure a Champions League place next season.
The Blues’ defeat to Arsenal on Super Sunday leaves Liam Rosenior’s side sixth in the Premier League with 10 games remaining, three points behind Liverpool and six behind Manchester United and Aston Villa. Chelsea still face those rivals in the coming weeks and have Champions League and FA Cup fixtures to navigate late in the season.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville predicted Manchester United would finish third, Liverpool fourth and Chelsea fifth, while expressing hope that Villa can also make the top five. He noted Chelsea’s injury problems, particularly in midfield, have cost them in recent weeks but said the club’s experienced manager could help them recover if key players return.
Neville described Chelsea as a Jekyll-and-Hyde team that can look naive and ill-disciplined in one moment and electric and purposeful in the next. He felt their first-half display lacked forward intent in the Arsenal game but praised their more aggressive second-half approach, highlighting runs from players like Hato, James’s delivery and Enzo Fernandez’s forward play alongside Joao Pedro.
Despite the inconsistency, Neville argued Chelsea are close to being genuine contenders if they add three senior signings: a top-class goalkeeper, an experienced centre-back and an experienced centre-forward to support Joao Pedro and Delap, not replace them.
He warned injuries and involvement in multiple competitions will be significant factors in the race for Champions League spots, leaving Villa and Chelsea somewhat vulnerable.
Neville also praised Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko after United’s comeback win over Crystal Palace. Having scored five goals in seven league games before earning a first start under Michael Carrick, Sesko netted the winner and has produced a string of different, impressive finishes. Neville called Sesko’s recent form a potential game-changer for United and stressed the importance of new signings making an immediate impact.