Vieri makes bold PL title prediction as he backs surprise contenders to dominate

Serie A and Italy legend Christian Vieri has tipped Chelsea to win the Premier League title next season.

The Blues finished fourth last season, sealing a return to the Champions League after two years away from Europe's top competition.

Enzo Maresca's side also won the Conference League, and last week secured the Club World Cup after thrashing European champions PSG 3-0 in the final.

And Vieri has heaped praise on compatriot Maresca for the work he has done at Stamford Bridge over the last year, and believes Chelsea will go all the way next season.

'He worked with Guardiola for years, and it shows,' the former Inter Milan striker told Gazzetta dello Sport.

'It wasn't just about high pressing, it was possession-based, organised football with fast players, quality and power, which always adds something.

'For me, Chelsea will win the Premier League next season and be a contender for the Champions League.'

Vieri also criticised PSG for being 'cocky' in the Club World Cup final, with Luis Enrique's side having won the treble.

He added: 'When you win all the time, you get cocky. And then comes the slap in the face because there are others hungrier than you.'

Chelsea have not won the Premier League title since the 2016-17 season under Antonio Conte.

But they will seek to end the drought having strengthened in attack this summer with the signings of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens.

Defender Levi Colwill believes they will compete on all front next season.

'I said at the start of this tournament that our plan is to win it and people looked at me as if I was crazy. So I'm going to say the exact same thing now going into the Premier League and Champions League,' he said. after the victory over PSG.

'This is the biggest trophy I've ever won. I think the Club World Cup will be bigger than the Champions League and we were the first team to win it.

'It was a statement victory and, in the future, if we keep winning trophies then everyone will give us the love that we deserve.