Jamie Carragher has revealed that he believes Chelsea could be on course for a top-four finish this season under Frank Lampard.
The Blues have picked up 20 points from their ten games in the league so far as Lampard combines youth and experience at Stamford Bridge.
Carragher admits that the Blues have surprised him amid their transfer ban and the former Liverpool defender says that they could be on for something special.
He told Sky Sports: "I was a bit worried about Chelsea at the start of the season. A young manager, not much experience. They'd lost the best player in the league, in Eden Hazard, and they couldn't bring players in.
"We know they've had a great youth team for years. They were going to give them a chance. But they haven't just taken that chance, they look like proper, top players.
"You're thinking, in two or three years' time, this could be really special. A team with homegrown players. You think of what Manchester United did all those years ago.
"But there's no doubt, over the next few years, that will have to be supplemented with superstars to challenge for the league again.
"I don't see them challenging this season.
"If they finish in the top four this season, Frank Lampard has done a brilliant job. I wouldn't be surprised if they picked up a cup competition. It really does look like exciting times."
Carragher believes that Lampard's side are no soft touch and he thinks that they could be good for the top-four once they get injured players back.
He added: "From a Liverpool point of view, you're thinking, what a result that was, going to Chelsea and winning. You wouldn't want to go to Chelsea now.
"We mustn't forget, they lost the best attacker, in Hazard, they've been without their best midfielder, in N'Golo Kante - he's hardly played - and their best defender is Antonio Rudiger, and he's barely played.
"Think how strong they will be when those players return. One experienced centre-back alongside a young one.
"Kante, who is as good as any midfielder in the world. Get those two back and I'm pretty confident they will finish in the top four."
