Even without their greatest player and a transfer ban, Frank Lampard’s side are still a force, according to Tony Cascarino.
Selling Eden Hazard to Real Madrid is certain to be a blow to the Chelsea team next season, but Cascarino still believes the Blues hold an edge over Arsenal and Manchester United in terms of squad strength.
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Chelsea finished in fourth place last season, with Arsenal and United following in fifth and sixth. All three clubs will be looking to improve, though life has been made more difficult for Chelsea fans since their club was hit with a transfer fan.
That means they can’t go back into the transfer market to find a replacement for the Belgium star.
“I may have been sounding caution to the Chelsea board but don’t get me wrong – [Lampard] still has a host of star players and lots of established internationals,” Carcarino wrote in The Times.
“I think the squad is stronger than Arsenal’s and Manchester United’s even without Eden Hazard.
“N’Golo Kante is one of the world’s best midfielders, Kepa Arrizabalaga is a talented young goalkeeper and Willian and new signing Christian Pulisic will be a threat to any team.”
Players like Hazard make a huge difference but even with him at Chelsea, they haven’t been a side to fear for years.
The Red Devils should be looking to overtake both London teams – Arsenal and Chelsea – next season.