Alan Shearer makes Chelsea title prediction and tips Man Utd transfer target to leave
Alan Shearer insists you'd have to be "very, very brave" to back against Chelsea being involved in the Premier League title race this season - as he hailed Enzo Maresca for the "magnificent" job he has done at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian coach, who arrived in west London last summer after leading Leicester City to the Championship title, came under widespread scrutiny last season - with his past relationship with Pep Guardiola, having worked as a coach at Manchester City previously seeing him cruelly being dubbed 'Diet Pep' in some quarters.
But Chelsea finished the 2024-25 campaign strongly, finishing in the Champions League places, winning the UEFA Conference League and then brushing aside European champions Paris Saint-Germain with a magnificent final display to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
Impressively, Maresca has done that while club chiefs continue to spend big in the transfer market on adding more young talent to the Premier League's youngest squad. Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and £60m striker Joao Pedro have all already arrived, while a number of players - including Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku - are set to depart.
Maresca, vocally backed by Cole Palmer after the win over PSG in New York, has been working on ironing out his side's inconsistencies and getting his side, tactically and mentally, to a point where they can challenge the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in a title battle again - and not just cup competitions. And former England captain Shearer believes the Blues boss may well have done just that.
"I think it would take a very, very brave person to say that Chelsea would not be involved in the title hunt next year because of what they've achieved this season, what they've just achieved [winning the Club World Cup], who they've signed, who they will sign,' Shearer said on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football.
"I think you have to say that they will be involved in the title race."
Speaking about Maresca and the Club World Cup final, Shearer added: "It was a masterclass from Maresca because PSG went in, their football has worked all season and why not? Why should they change anything?
"But I think the little tweaks from Maresca, they're pressing high and all those things, and I just think it worked perfectly for them and he deserves huge credit, not only for the job he's done in this competition, but for the whole season.
"I don't think anyone knew what to expect because you know what happens at Chelsea, it's happened before: if you don't win things, you know exactly what happens.
"You're in there for a reason and know how it's going to work. He's done a magnificent job, he really has."
One player who could also depart in the coming weeks, potentially, is Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal striker was Maresca's main man last season, but has been sent off twice in recent months and has seen both Joao Pedro - who made an outstanding start to life as a Blue in the USA - and Liam Delap arrive at the club.
Now the former Villarreal forward is being linked with a move away, with Manchester United monitoring his situation as they continue to look for a new No.9 and suggestions Chelsea could deal for around £50million.
Shearer admits: "As soon as [Joao] Pedro came in and scored the two goals and Delap's already there, if there's one person that's going to be shifted out then my guess it would be Jackson.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they've already offered him to other football clubs and they've enquired about it."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers injury shocker as summer signing is a MAJOR doubt for Champions League showdown with Panathinaikos
RANGERS new £3.5million star Thelo Aasgaard is a major injury doubt for the Champions League crunch against Panathinaikos. The Norwegian international midfielder is facing scans after being hurt in the midweek bounce game against Dunfermline. 1 Aasgaard could miss Panathinaikos clash Credit: Willie Vass The 23-year-old was certain to start in new boss Russell Martin's first competitive game against the Greek cracks on Tuesday night. Former Wigan and Luton ace Aasgaard started in a full-strength side for the 4-1 win over the Pars on Tuesday afternoon. But he suffered a setback and is now facing a race against time to be ready for the second qualifying round first leg. It's understood Gers chiefs are relieved that Aasgaard is not facing a longer absence after the injury blow. But Martin - who must name his initial Champions League squad by Thursday night - is still reeling at the prospect of losing one of his key summer signings. Gers' attacking options are limited for the first leg next week with Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane already injury doubts. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.
South Wales Guardian
6 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Lucy Bronze urges England to draw on underdog mentality in Euros quarter-final
The 33-year-old right-back is the most experienced member of Sarina Wiegman's side, having now featured in seven major tournaments since she travelled to Euro 2013 as an uncapped member of Hope Powell's squad. In Switzerland, Bronze's England team-mates have drawn on the Chelsea defender's wisdom as they navigated a rollercoaster group stage, particularly in the wake of their opening defeat to France. MD-1 preparations 💪 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 16, 2025 'We said we're a 'new England', a new team,' said Bronze. 'And what was meant by that was, we had a lot of younger players and new players who have very different experiences of playing for England compared to the likes of myself, where we know that England used to have to dig deep all the time, always. 'Like, 2015 was the first time we beat Germany – that's insane to think of right now. 'But England in the past, it was you have to dig out performances and you are maybe the underdog, you aren't the favourite. Whereas this England team has developed and changed.' After the 2-1 loss to France, which left their campaign hanging by a thread, Bronze reminded her team-mates that England had suffered defeat to the same country at the 2015 World Cup, but then achieved what was then a best-ever third-place finish at a global showpiece. That defeat in Zurich, Bronze agrees, ultimately galvanised the Lionesses, who increasingly spoke about wanting to play like 'proper England' and went on to beat 2017 champions the Netherlands 4-0 and Wales 6-1 to qualify for the last eight as Group D runners-up. She said: 'Obviously we're a very talented team, a lot of technical ability, tactics, all that comes in the game, but we don't ever want to forget that we are England, we are proper England and if push comes to shove, we can win a game in any means possible.' Players from both the England and Sweden camps have suggested the Swedes have flown under the radar. England captain Leah Williamson said the Scandinavians 'deserve more recognition', a sentiment echoed by Sweden's Kosovare Asllani, who told reporters 'people should talk about us more'. England beat Sweden 4-0 in the Euro 2022 semi-final at Bramall Lane, but drew in their two most recent meetings with Peter Gerhardsson's side who – unlike England – have also qualified for this autumn's Nations League semi-finals. Among England's major tournament debutants is goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, also Bronze's team-mate at Women's Super League champions Chelsea, who contributed a highlight-reel pass in the Netherlands victory. 🧤 @hannahhampton_ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 16, 2025 'She's a very important part of this team,' added Bronze. 'I think she's definitely built with confidence as the tournament has gone on – arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with her feet. 'But there's still a lot more to come from Hannah. She's a very young goalkeeper and she's already doing fantastically well, especially starting her first major tournament. She's a key player for us. 'Like Tooney (Ella Toone) and LJ (Lauren James), she's a player that I think we can see so much more from, just growing and getting even better and better.'
Metro
36 minutes ago
- Metro
Liverpool set to recruit 'highly-rated' Man Utd coach as new under-18s manager
Liverpool are in advanced talks to recruit 'highly-rated' coach Simon Wiles from their arch rivals Manchester United, according to reports. Wiles is currently in charge of United U14s at Old Trafford but is now set to become the U18s head coach for Premier League champions Liverpool. The 40-year-old only joined United in September 2024 after a spell as caretaker boss of Salford City, owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham. But The Athletic have reported that Wiles is now heading to Anfield to replace Marc Bridge-Wilkinson as the Reds' new U18s manager. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Wiles' first coaching role came in Blackpool's academy in June 2013, before he decided to refocus on his playing career, which ended in 2018. After hanging up his boots, Wiles became an U18s coach for League One club Fleetwood Town and was their interim manager in 2021 when they sacked Joey Barton. He swapped Fleetwood for Salford in 2022, working as a first-team coach, before being snapped up by United's academy in September last year. His expected departure from Old Trafford is a significant blow given the amount of academy coaches to progress and leave for a raised position. Justin Cochrane, Paul McShane, Tom Huddlestone, Neil Wood, Neil Ryan, and Neil Gittins are just some of the other coaches to have left United. Wiles is expected to work with Anthony Ryan when he joins Liverpool, who will step up from the U15s to become assistant head coach for the U18s. Ryan is currently working as Liverpool U18s' interim boss after Bridge-Wilkinson left following 10 years of service at the end of last season. Wiles played as a midfielder for the likes of Blackpool, Dunfermline Athletic and Barrow. He also spent time on loan at Macclesfield Town. After leaving Barrow, he became an U10s coach for former club Blackpool but then joined Chorley before spells at Salford and Bamber Bridge. Wiles won the FA Trophy with Barrow during the 2009-10 season. He played 40 games for Blackpool – where he started his career in 2003 – with 27 of those appearances coming when they were in League One. MORE: 'I don't see it working' – Man Utd urged to reconsider move for £32m Chelsea star MORE: Stuart Pearce tells Man Utd and Arsenal to sign 'magnificent' 20-goal forward MORE: The real reason why Arsenal haven't completed deal for Viktor Gyokeres yet
