Frank Lampard rates Chelsea’s top-four chances under Enzo Maresca

Frank Lampard has been impressed by Enzo Maresca’s start at Chelsea and believes the club are in a ‘good position’ to challenge for a top-four place in the Premier League again.

There has been upheaval from top to bottom at Chelsea over recent years, with the club’s hierarchy, the manager and the squad experiencing major change, creating a sense of instability.

This reflected in Chelsea’s results on the pitch as Mauricio Pochettino steered the west London giants to a disappointing sixth-placed finish last term – which came after a miserable 2022/23 campaign in which the Blues finished down in 12th spot.

But optimism is building amongst the Stamford Bridge faithful once again and there is a feeling that the tide is beginning to turn after a strong start to the new season, with Maresca’s min sitting fourth in the table.

Cole Palmer has once again been at the heart of everything good and the young Englishman produced arguably his finest performance yet in a Chelsea shirt against Brighton, in which he made history with four first-half goals.

Lampard, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Chelsea before twice managing the club, has been encouraged by what he has seen and is hopeful that his former side are back on the right track.

‘They’re young, that’s a fact, and with a young team it’s not always easy to have great consistency,’ Lampard told TNT Sports Mexico.

‘Maybe to win things [with young players], it’s not always easy. But it’s a strategy that Chelsea have taken.

‘At the moment and the start of the season they’ve had now, it feels like they are going in the right direction. There is lots of young talent, especially in forward areas. There are lots of options to change in-game or change and stay fresh.

‘After two or three years of being in a transition and a difficult time, change of ownership, change of managers, change of players and the squad… there’s a lot of new faces and players… it’s understandable that they haven’t competed.

‘But I do feel now that they’re in a good position to challenge for top four again, to be where Chelsea expect to be.’

Lampard believes Arsenal and Liverpool stand out as the main contenders to break Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League title this season.

On Arsenal’s chances, Lampard explained: ‘They brought in lots of players and their squad is really strong in all areas.

‘They can take one out, bring one in and they have a lot of options there.

‘They have taken City close for the last two seasons so you have to say Arsenal are in the conversation to compete with City.

‘I think Liverpool again but maybe it’s more difficult for them because of the change of manager and because Jurgen Klopp was so distinct in his style.

‘The change for Liverpool might be difficult but I still think they have a really good squad and the new manager has started well.’

The ex-England midfielder added: ‘Those are the teams I would expect to compete again but the beauty of the Premier League is you have teams like Aston Villa, teams like Brighton and Newcastle, who are all improving.

‘Their squads are stronger than ever, good coaches, so there are always surprises in the Premier League.

‘I think Aston Villa are a great example of that with what they have done in the last two or three seasons.’

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