Graeme Souness has backed Chelsea to close the gap on Liverpool this season but has stopped short of making them title challengers.
All eyes will be on the Blues this season following a summer in which they have spent big to land the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
Sky Sports pundit Souness has made reigning champions Liverpool favourites for the title but says he expects a closer race this season.
In terms of Chelsea, Souness has been impressed with the players they have signed and feels that, with Manchester United also strengthening, the top four is likely to stay the same this season.
Yet he is reserving judgement on how well the Blues may do overall this season until he sees how the likes of Werner, Havertz and Hakim Ziyech settle into Premier League football.
"As it stands, Liverpool are the favourites for the title, but I don’t see them running away with it again," Souness wrote in his column for the Sunday Times.
"United will be better with Donny van de Beek, but the goalkeeping situation may be an issue.
"Chelsea have signed well, but let’s see how quickly Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz settle in.
"Beyond that, I don’t see a title challenger. People are making noises about Arsenal, but I don’t see them being strong enough.
"If you’re asking me now, that’s my top four for next May: Liverpool, City, United and Chelsea."
The Blues begin their season with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday evening.
