Gus Poyet believes last season's success can propel Chelsea into title contenders

The new Premier League season is in full swing following last weekend's opener, and the title race is expected to be one to call, with four teams considered among the contenders. 

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all got to winning starts, while Chelsea had to be content with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace to kick off their campaign. 

They now head into tonight's clash with West Ham looking for their first three points, but Gus Poyet believes there is a new belief among the players at his former club. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to GG.co.uk, the Uruguayan feels that winning the UEFA Conference League and then their triumph at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer could install the type of confidence that sees them challenge at the top end of the Premier League. 

He said, "Two good things from the Club World Cup win. One, nobody was counting on Chelsea in the beginning. And then, somehow, they got there.

"Not even before the final, because it was Paris, but it was tremendous, absolutely tremendous.

"And then the second one is like, and I always say this because it happened to me. If you are a decent player or even a good player, until you win something, you are not on that next level, okay? And when you start winning titles, you go to another level.

"You become a very good player. And I think for the Chelsea players, winning in Europe and winning the Club World Cup put the whole squad in a better level. And that's mental. That's not physical, that's not tactical, technically, that's mental.

"Now you know how good you are. And as a team, they've proven they are a better team.

"So they're going to be closer to play for the Premier League title and try to be in a position, if not to win it, closer to the top teams." 



The Blues, as expected, have been busy in the summer as well, bolstering their ranks ahead of their participation in the Champions League this season. 

Their most notable acquisitions have come in attack, where they've added two new frontmen in Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, both of whom debuted during their summer triumph. 

Poyet believes that the two new players now provide Enzo Maresca with significantly better options in attack, depending on who they face and in which competition. 

"I like the characteristics of these two new players," Poyet added. 

"Delap is more a number nine, more a presence in the box. But Joao Pedro is a player who can get in and can get out, he can play off the front, he can link, he can get in the second line. So he got all the attributes to help Chelsea in the build-up and in the finishing. So I think it is very interesting.

"It wasn't easy to find that kind of player. And I'm sure that they've been looking a lot. Seeing the games that he played so far, he's fitting very well. And when you need a little bit more presence, you've got Delap, who is a proper number nine.

"So I think they got the options. A team needs to play different games, at home, away, and in Europe. So they got a different kind of style, which is always welcome.

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