Dietmar Hamann has claimed that Chelsea will drop out of Premier League title contention leaving familiar foes Liverpool and Manchester City in a two-horse race.
The Blues were top going into last Saturday’s clash at West Ham United and had only lost one of their 14 league games, conceding just six goals before their trip to the London Stadium.
However, their derby defeat to the Hammers saw Thomas Tuchel’s side drop to third, two points behind City, who now occupy top spot, and one fewer than Liverpool in second.
Chelsea are also facing an injury crisis going into the busy festive period with Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho all missing their final Champions League group game against Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp solved notorious 10-year Liverpool problem with just £19m and tactical tweak
READ MORE: Liverpool potential Champions League round of 16 opponents confirmed
Mateo Kovacic is also sidelined after contracting Covid-19.
Hamann, a Champions League winner with Liverpool, is convinced Chelsea’s lack of experience in competing for the title will ultimately see them fall short to his old clubs.
"It’s still a three-horse race right now, but I don’t think Chelsea have what it takes to win the Premier League over Liverpool and Manchester City," he told Metro.co.uk via Free Super Tips .
‘"I know they won the Champions League, but it’s a different competition.
Want Mohamed Salah to win to win the Fans' Footballer of the Year? Vote here:
"There aren’t as many games in the Champions League and you can show no fear in that competition because you can pick up results if the opposition aren’t quite at it, but the Premier League is a long stretch.
"I just think City and Liverpool are one if not two steps ahead of Chelsea and this is why I think they will both have a healthy gap over Chelsea come the end of the season."
City will be hopeful of extending their advantage over their rivals when they face Wolves at the Etihad in the early Saturday kick-off.
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back following last weekend’s defeat when they host Leeds United at 3pm. And, at the same time, Liverpool welcome club legend Steven Gerrard back to Anfield when they entertain Aston Villa in what’s sure to be an emotional afternoon.
