{"id":1587,"date":"2026-08-19T10:45:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T10:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1587"},"modified":"2026-08-19T10:45:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T10:45:05","slug":"why-ian-wright-is-backing-chelsea-to-challenge-arsenal-for-premier-league-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1587","title":{"rendered":"Why Ian Wright is backing Chelsea to challenge Arsenal for Premier League title"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League table last season, 33 points behind champions Arsenal!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yet Ian Wright<\/a> is confident that Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> side will be able to challenge his former club for the title in the new campaign.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea<\/a> have improved their squad this summer, bringing in the likes of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra.<\/p>\n

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Where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026\/27?<\/h3>\n

Let’s hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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As well as Rogers, Lacroix and Palestra, Chelsea have also signed Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.<\/p>\n

According to Wright, that added experience to the Blues\u2019 squad and lack of European football this season will help Alonso\u2019s men to compete for the Premier League<\/a> title.<\/p>\n

However, he has warned Alonso that a title challenge will also hinge on whether he can improve his team defensively.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the Metro<\/a>, the Arsenal legend said: \u201cI fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. He\u2019s brought in some experienced players, which they\u2019ve needed for a while. I can see them getting into a good rhythm without European football.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Defensively, Chelsea were extremely poor last term. In total, they conceded 52 goals in 38 games. It is definitely an area where they have to improve if they want to have any success this season.<\/p>\n

Hopefully the signings of Lacroix, Palestra and Pep Chavarria can help them to do so. The trio have all been brought in to strengthen Chelsea defensively.<\/p>\n

Palestra really impressed on Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour<\/a>, so he could prove to be a really good signing for the Club World Cup<\/a> holders.<\/p>\n

Why Chelsea can\u2019t overtake Arsenal just yet<\/h2>\n

We need to wait and see how Chelsea play under Alonso. On paper, they probably are a much better team following the arrivals of Rogers and Lacroix.<\/p>\n

But Arsenal have also improved and were already miles ahead of Chelsea. They recently signed Bruno Guimaraes, who is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

Chelsea should reduce the gap between them and their London rivals, but it is too soon to overtake them. As long as the Blues finish in the top four this season and qualify for the Champions League<\/a>, fans will be happy.<\/p>\n

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