Can Chelsea win the EPL ahead of Liverpool, Arsenal, etc? - Eric ten Hag provides answer

Ahead of the new season, Ten Hag believes Chelsea have the quality to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.

The World champion delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge in their first pre-season outing on Friday night.

Ten Hag still thinks Chelsea is good enough to compete for the Premier League title this season, even after his Leverkusen side lost to the Blues.

“I think so. You always have to see how the season develops… but they have a big squad. Many teams can construct a very good side this season, and it’s hard to say who is favourite — I think five or six teams can win the league,” Ten Hag told HaytersTV.

While Maresca’s stated aim for the 2025/26 campaign is securing another top-four finish, external voices suggest the Blues’ youthful, talented squad is capable of more.

Chelsea ended last season 15 points adrift of champions Liverpool, who have equipped their squad with high-profile signings this summer, setting the stage for an intensely competitive Premier League race.