Graeme Le Saux doesn't think Chelsea will improve on last season's fourth-place finish in the Premier League this term.
The Blues managed to qualify for the Champions League with a final day victory over Wolves last July, which was seen as an achievement for Frank Lampard given he was unable to bring in any new players prior to the campaign due a UEFA transfer ban.
However, going into the 2020/21 season, Roman Abramovich made up for lost time with over £200m being injected into the first-team squad, and seven new signings in total.
The big-money moves looked to have paid off at the start of the season when the Blues went on an impressive 14-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Things were looking positive for Lampard, but recently, following a 1-0 defeat to Everton on December 12, the west London club have suffered a poor run of form.
Defeats to Wolves, Arsenal and Manchester City in their last five outings have seen Chelsea fall to ninth-place, seven points off leaders Liverpool and Manchester United.
Le Saux, who made 212 appearances for the Blues over two spells across the 1980s, '90s and 2000s, believes his former club won't be able to improve on last season's fourth-place finish despite a host of new signings at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m thinking of the teams that are better than them… you’ve got Liverpool and City, one and two. Man United are playing really well, maybe them in third," Le Saux replied when asked by football.london where his old club will finish this season.
"Realistically, I’d say fourth - third or fourth. The funny thing is when you look at the games, Liverpool had a real chance to extend their lead and drew with West Brom at home.
"Manchester United, you sort of think they’re in really good form, but there’s inconsistency there as well.
"If you take (Bruno) Fernandes out of that team and they’re nowhere near as good. Spurs have had chances to go top of the league but they’ve missed those opportunities.
"There’s lots of inconsistency around. What’s gonna be enough to win the league this season?
"I don’t think it’s gonna be what it took last year and the year before. I think that gives everyone a little bit more leeway with their results over the course of the season.”
The Blues have League Two Morecambe in the FA Cup third round this weekend and are next in Premier League action on Friday, January 15, where they make the short trip to face London rivals Fulham.
