Claude Makelele says Chelsea must be ready to pounce in Premier League title race

Chelsea legend Claude Makelele says his former club need to be ready to capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals this season.

Enzo Maresca’s men won the Conference League last term and also qualified for the Champions League.

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Ahead of tonight's visit of rock-bottom Wolves, the Blues lie seventh in the Premier League but only two points behind second-placed Manchester City with 10 games played.

And Makelele, who won two league titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, feels Chelsea must stay nestled within the leading pack as the season unfolds.

He exclusively told DAZN: “Arsenal are looking good at the top of the table right now, but Liverpool have been struggling a little bit, while Manchester City and Manchester United have not been hugely consistent either.

“Chelsea need jump straight in to make sure they are there when opportunities arise because when these kind of teams starts to wake up, they will start to join the big four if they are not already there.

“Therefore it's very important that Chelsea need to be ready.

“If they do that then can be fighting at the top end of the table at the end of the season, I'm sure, 100%. They have the capacity to do it.”

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.

With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga, and more.

For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.