Former Chelsea assistant manager under Maurizio Sarri, Gianfranco Zola expects Chelsea to finish outside the top four in Frank Lampard’s first season in charge.
Chelsea finished third last season under Sarri and also won the Europa League but Zola doesn’t expect the Blues to finish in the top four under Lampard.
According to Zola, Liverpool will win the Premier League title with Manchester City finishing second. Zola expects Tottenham to finish third and Manchester United to finish fourth.
Zola expects Arsenal to finish sixth and Everton seventh.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is motivated to prove his doubters wrong.
“I’m not stupid. I understand why [there are doubts],” Lampard said. “I use it as motivation. All that stuff. We have a transfer ban. There were two teams very clear out in front last time. The Premier League is more competitive at the top end than it’s ever been.
“I don’t think you can walk around with your eyes closed. [But] they make me determined to the job as well as I can. And I don’t mind it. I like to considered maybe not quite a favourite. In your career there will be many moments like that. The sweet ones are when you believe in what you can do and then go and achieve it.”