Former Chelsea star backs Blues to challenge Liverpool – but highlights ‘big hole’ which must be addressed | OneFootball

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has backed the club to push Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League title this season.

The Blues kicked off their new Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

But Cole, who spent seven years at Chelsea and won three Premier League titles with the Blues, believes Enzo Maresca’s side will improve this campaign.

He does, however, think the absence of Levi Colwill through injury is something which must be addressed.

“I think Chelsea will improve,” he told Hayters TV.

“They’ve won two trophies, finished in the Champions League, but I just think they’ll improve. I think the young players  will all improve. They’ll all get better. They’ll all be better as a unit.

“The question mark, the asterisk is Levi Colwill’s injury .I think it leaves a big hole because I was really excited about how he finished last season and played in the Club World Cup.

“So yeah, I think Chelsea will push Liverpool, gently.”

Cole, however, is still making another one of his former clubs in Liverpool title favourites for this campaign, having lifted the trophy last season.

But the former England international says Arsenal cannot be ruled out – despite having his doubts about new striker signing Viktor Gyokeres.

“I make them (Liverpool) favourites,” he said. “They’ve strengthened and won it at a canter (last season).

“I still think this might be Arteta’s best chance he’s had. He’s got a centre-forward in but there’s still a question mark because it’s not like you’re bringing in a player like if Arsenal would have gone and signed (Victor) Osimhen, who I’ve seen do it in Italy and in Turkey.

“This kid (Gyokeres), there’s still a question mark. I think he’s going to be alright. I think he’ll score goals.

“But I just think Liverpool are just the best side at the moment. The best chance the other teams have is if Liverpool have a slow start because there’s a lot of change. By the end of the season, I expect them to be motoring.”