John Barnes believes Frank Lampard has a ways to go before his Chelsea team can challenge for the Premier League title again.
The five-time English champions ended their first season under the legendary former Blues midfielder in fourth, out-performing pre-season expectations with a squad filled by academy graduates after losing talisman Eden Hazard in the summer.
Lampard has been proactive this summer, sealing Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner for a combined £91m to refresh the Blues attack, but Barnes believes they will come unstuck again next season.
'I definitely feel like Chelsea can challenge for the top four again next season, but I don't necessarily think they can challenge Manchester City and Liverpool just yet,' the Reds legend told BonusCodeBets.
'However, they will become more competitive get closer to the top two teams in the Premier League with the signings they have made.
'Signing Ziyech, Werner and potentially more is clearly a strong indication that Chelsea are there to compete next season.
'I am sure they will be in the top four again, but I don't think they will be ready to make a move for first or second place in the league just yet.'
The Blues finished a huge 33 points behind Jurgen Klopp's side, with Pep Guardiola's City 15 clear of the west Londoners after 38 games.
Chelsea face a tough task to close the gap in one season, but are still chasing Leicester's Ben Chilwell and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz to add more firepower to their 2020-21 challenge.
Resabcdm
0
this are the same people that predicted last season that Chelsea can't make it to top 4,,,and we make it...so they are just talkers
nikbdelouz
2
John Barnes ukushaya apa
p0k3
0
who the hell are u?
your dad
Dan18Ryans
0
other predictions wont come right
Dan18Ryans
0
lets wait and see if Chelsea will not challenge for the tittle so far so good Chelsea team as it is
Jaobeklnyz
0
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
thunder fire you
Soubelmu
1
John Barnes doesn't know the blue's Title.....
Derkaisernino
3
since we will not challenge them than they will challenge us for the title
Impartial1
0
Yes maybe on paper but the transfer season is still open and we will see
Juobclry
1
This Chelsea team needs good goal keeper
Zewaclpruy
1
john Barnes is a chelsea hater shame on u
Todaelmpuy
2
came ,we defenders and a striker for shine again
W0linhO
1
Never n true,but seriously we need to shut da Eff up we can't predict the future
JosyJohnGodwin
1
Are you saying loanee keeper is £50m?🙄
yeah he is
nupdklopu
1
Chelsea Is back
Andy_Mac
0
Again you are literally calling havertz a midfielder yet compare to attackers
They can't be compared because of the different positions that Havertz played and different ages. There's a less likelihood that he'll play through the middle because we've got Ziyech now who can play in that role. Regardless, Havertz is a fantastic talent who can strengthen our side significantly. That attacking 4 can match up to Man City's or Liverpool's if we sign Havertz. Don't forget the backup we've got on the bench who may not have done amazing this season but they're still developing well. One of them could possibly have a standout season like Mount or Loftus-Cheek or Hudson-Odoi. Man City still has a better squad in terms of depth. You have the luxury to bench players with so much experience because of the level of respect that Guardiola commands and the standard of football you've been playing these past 2-3 years.
Nucaelmpsz
0
Chelsea coach frank lampard are you sleeping ready to for next season make to stong come on Wake up
Woobikmsu
1
how can Chelsea compete with stones and Dunk. lampard should think twice before he fade away
ferdude
0
Yes but let's not forget that Havertz is only 21 and can still improve further next season. If he plays at Chelsea, he'll have far better players around him too. Mahrez is already in his peak and plays in such a star studded squad. Don't forget that Havertz has also played in central midfield a lot of times unlike Mahrez who plays on the wings always. The fact is that if we sign Havertz, then we can boast of an attack which is as good as Liverpool's and Man City's if not better.
Again you are literally calling havertz a midfielder yet compare to attackers
joucdinpsz
0
Chelsea for live we need more players
Frankaay™
1
And He's right unless of course we see changes in their defense let's learn to take the truth in good faith.
fimdeorsuy
2
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
Chelsea will do well
Andy_Mac
0
Incorrect dude In the last 2 seasons havertz has only 3 more goal involvements than Mahrez in 21 less starts
Yes but let's not forget that Havertz is only 21 and can still improve further next season. If he plays at Chelsea, he'll have far better players around him too. Mahrez is already in his peak and plays in such a star studded squad. Don't forget that Havertz has also played in central midfield a lot of times unlike Mahrez who plays on the wings always. The fact is that if we sign Havertz, then we can boast of an attack which is as good as Liverpool's and Man City's if not better.
ferdude
0
That's because only recently he started playing in more advanced positions. And he still has more goals than Mahrez in the last 2 seasons. Also, when you consider that he didn't play in one of the best teams in Europe like Mahrez did for Man City. He's only gonna get better and better.
Incorrect dude In the last 2 seasons havertz has only 3 more goal involvements than Mahrez in 21 less starts
Zekbeknoy
0
Have you asked yourself why people didn't complain in the past when we signed english players? because they were the best players but now Lampard just want to sign any english player he can afford. if the fa gives favours to a club that has many english players then Manchester United would be winning everything and we would never have had of man city, yes the fa mandates clubs to a certain number of english players in the squad but not in the starting line up and we have a lot of english players in the squad. England is not our country but also even Chelsea is not owned by an English man it is own by a Russian.
Van dijk was still very good at Southampton and a lot of clubs we after him but if you think its oky for Chelsea to gamble 80m on chilwell then i have nothing else to say
Kidbekmns
0
Marina, Lampard and Ibramovic listening what people are saying if you are stingy to buy players stop dreaming about lifting trophys next season you better buy players like Harvet, Chiwell now so that they can adopt soon please .
samlegxzy
1
Lampard,if u can't get chilwell,there are other alternatives. u get get Lyon's CB for just £41m. If u wanna sell kepa,Henderson is there for £50m. These are all cheap and better players than those costly players who won't shine in a Chelsea shirt
Are you saying loanee keeper is £50m?🙄
JosyJohnGodwin
1
Lampard,if u can't get chilwell,there are other alternatives. u get get Lyon's CB for just £41m. If u wanna sell kepa,Henderson is there for £50m. These are all cheap and better players than those costly players who won't shine in a Chelsea shirt
IBK1993
0
thunder will fire this John Barnes , Absolute rubbish
Andy_Mac
1
If he plays as a central midfielder why would you compare him to attacking players ? Exactly my point
That's because only recently he started playing in more advanced positions. And he still has more goals than Mahrez in the last 2 seasons. Also, when you consider that he didn't play in one of the best teams in Europe like Mahrez did for Man City. He's only gonna get better and better.
Kayojunior
0
when I remember the last time Chelsea lifted the premier league trophy, not many believed they would go all the way... That's his opinion though
keddirae
0
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
Watch on...
Jaocikmptu
1
We Will Beat every teams in england ❤💪
[image]
nice but replace Oblak with Onana
Jaocikmptu
0
this guy hates Chelsea there is nothing true with what he said am sure Chelsea gonna be great Club next season
am sure Chelsea will sign a cb and goal keeper and a Lb but why did he say they will not contend for the title next season with those players that's hatred
IrfaNajeeb
2
True. Chelsea’s attack would be crazy next season. but that defence is shaky and the new players need more matches together to get to where city and liverpool are.
hizdmry
0
this guy hates Chelsea there is nothing true with what he said am sure Chelsea gonna be great Club next season
he hates Chelsea, super super and super hater nothing positive about Chelsea comes out of his mouth...
LhøvëKhødë
0
I like the vibe
nuybdkp
0
honest talk John
oluwafestus
0
I agree with you, he is a super hater
shut up he's not hating take a look at the team properly they are good right, but still need some little touch of quality players in there defense... that what happened to Liverpool 2013/2014 good midfield and attack bad defense, if you don't know football you keep quiet 🙄
Nesaiknruy_Legend
0
klopp didn't pay 80m for Andy Robertson something that Chelsea is ready to pay for chilwell
But he paid 75 million for Virgil Van Dijl didnt he? did you think Van Dijk would become the best CB in the world from Southampton? truthfully? no is the answer.
Zekbeknoy
0
He bought chamberlain and elliott also wants to buy ben white he has also been using gomez, arnold, henderson, miller as his starting 11 are they not english?
Yah but klopp didn't pay 80m for an english player coz he is a smart coach and the english players who are regularly on his starting 11 are Arnold, Gomez and Henderson only.
hizdmry
0
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
you couldn't even defend champions league, it was the worse champions in football history.
Zekbeknoy
0
What are your thoughts on Andy Robertson? Came from a relegated Hull side in the Championship. Do you think he is overrated and shouldnt have been a target for Liverpool?
klopp didn't pay 80m for Andy Robertson something that Chelsea is ready to pay for chilwell
hizdmry
0
this guy hates Chelsea there is nothing true with what he said am sure Chelsea gonna be great Club next season
I agree with you, he is a super hater
hizdmry
1
nobody thought Liverpool would win the league after 30 years. you should know better and not this kind of predictions.
Mrdiscussion
1
He is spitting trash.. football has a way of shocking everyone. Let the season start then we’ll all see what’s going to happen. 💙
Andyugo
0
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
Try thinking before talking. They finished 4th with academy boys and you feel they will do worse with better players
Rombdiklnr
0
am glad I was able to change a lot of mind... let's support the players that lampard is trying to bring in and I can assure you they will perform 💙
EhandEhand
1
in as much as am among those that say lamp favor English players but you have made me to understand something
am glad I was able to change a lot of mind... let's support the players that lampard is trying to bring in and I can assure you they will perform 💙
tihikmnosu
0
Where is the chelsea team that can compete for top 4 next season? they recruited students, Hakim n Werner must take a year or 2 to find some form. They will finish in the top 6 in 5th or 6th
you are a crown bro, they finished on top 4 with most academic players and poor diffenders and now they are inforsing yet are saying they finish below 5😂 anyway,i see fear in you