Emmanuel Petit believes only one Premier League rival has a squad stronger than Manchester City this season, and his choice may come as a surprise.
City are currently enduring a remarkable downturn in form, having lost six and drawn one of their last seven games across all competitions, to firmly drop out of contention in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool now find themselves nine points clear at the top of the table and odds-on to win to be crowned champions, while Arsenal - widely tipped at the beginning of the season - are considered their most likely challengers.
But it is Chelsea, who are level on points and goal difference with Arsenal, that World Cup winner Petit has tipped to prove the sternest test for Liverpool, and not their London rivals.
"Are Arsenal the only team who can catch Liverpool? It’s a good question," he told Gambling Zone. "Well, to be honest, no
"I was with another former player [Gary Neville] the other day and they said Chelsea have no chance, but I disagree. I look at the schedule and they have a very favourable run and have also played against almost every big team so far this season.
"There is no easy game in the Premier League and there’s a long way to go, but right now I’d have to say Chelsea are dark horses as they have been excellent under [manager Enzo] Maresca. The way they have transformed this season is magnificent – I will not put them away for the title.
"My Arsenal side were 13 points behind in 1998 at Christmas time and we won it – so do not rule anyone out!
Everyone is forgetting that Chelsea have the strongest squad in the Premier League ... it’s only December so do not count them out yet."
"Everyone is forgetting that Chelsea have the strongest squad in the Premier League and with other clubs playing in the Champions League and every three days, they have a really strong opportunity to make up ground. It’s only December so do not count them out yet."
Petit has credited Maresca with tackling the daunting task at Chelsea with a ruthless approach, which has produced much better results than predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.
He continued: "It was a massive surprise that Chelsea sacked Poch, but what a decision it has proved to be They have elevated themselves to a new level under Maresca. He has done something that the former managers couldn’t do; be ruthless.
"He has shown no pity to his players and has exiled the deadwood like Raheem Sterling. He’s made it clear he is the manager and shown the door to so many players – even those who signed a year before he arrived.
"He’s ruthless and it’s working – and it’s amazed me a lot how it’s worked so quickly for him in terms of management, building a spine and getting his team to play the way he wants to play."
