Former Aston Villa and England international Stewart Downing has tipped Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
Manchester City and Liverpool have monopolized the Premier League in the last five years. Pep Guardiola’s side has won four Premier League titles in five years while Liverpool is the only Premier League team to win the Premier League in the last five years apart from Manchester City.
The two clubs have dominated the league season by season with either of them occupying the first and second position every season in the last five years.
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However, Stewart Downing believes Chelsea and Tottenham could mount a serious title challenge next season against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Chelsea finished third in the Premier League with 72 points,19 points behind champions Manchester City and 18 points off second-place Liverpool. The Blues will be seeking to win their first Premier League since 2017.
Tottenham who is yet to win a league title in the Premier League era will be keen to end the Premier League drought. Antonio Conte’s side had already made a statement of intent with their summer transfers.
What did Stewart Downing say?
Speaking on Master Football, the former England international said: “I can see Chelsea being the club to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
“They’ve had a new takeover, got a good manager who I’m sure will stay now with the new backing and owners.
“If they get Raheem Sterling in and Romelu Lukaku goes and they revamp the squad, they’ve got to be in with a shout because they are a quality team.
“Tottenham could be an outsider; I’m not saying title-winners, but they should be pushing because Antonio Conte did an unbelievable job with that team, who were struggling at one point.
“They’ve strengthened this summer and I’m sure they will continue and that’s why he has stayed. I wouldn’t rule them out of challenging.”
Gary Pallister also makes his prediction for next season’s Premier League.
The former Manchester United defender has named Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United to compete in the Premier League next season.
Gary Pallister said via Metro Sports:“ You would be a fool to not back them [City and Liverpool] to be challenging for the title next season.
“You look at Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, can they mount a challenge against those two? No. Can United? I think it would be a huge effort for them to do that, I don’t think that is going to be possible next year, Ten Hag has to go in there first and hopefully sort out the problems that were manifesting themselves last season.
“He has got to get everybody onside and find a new philosophy and take it from there. The dressing room is the first place that needs to be sorted if you listen to the rumors about it being disjointed and fractured.
“That needs to be sorted. Hopefully, then you can bring in players with character and personality that can then help in that respect.”
The new Premier League season will start on Friday 5 August with Crystal Palace and Arsenal playing the first game.
