Alan Shearer believes Chelsea’s shortcomings up front and in defence will prevent them from competing for the Premier League title this season.
The Blues, inspired by Eden Hazard, are unbeaten under boss Maurizio Sarri.
But former England captain Shearer thinks Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City will end up battling it out for top place.
While Hazard has been in terrific goalscoring form, strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have only two league goals between them this season – both of them scored by Morata.
Shearer believes this will hold Chelsea back and that Sarri’s switch to a back four, with David Luiz at the heart of it, will also undermine their chances.
“I still cannot see beyond a two-horse title race between Manchester City and Liverpool,” Shearer said on the BBC Sport website.
“I am expecting City and Liverpool to fight it out, with Chelsea the only other team who can challenge for the title – though for that to happen, a lot depends on Eden Hazard.
“Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has talked about there being a gap between his team and City and Liverpool, but they can close it if they can keep Hazard fit and in the kind of form he is in at the moment.
“But my worry with Chelsea is where their other goals will come from if Hazard stops scoring as regularly, because their main strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata are not exactly prolific.
“I also have my concerns about Sarri’s side defensively, namely with David Luiz playing in a four-man defence.”