Chelsea's title credentials came under scrutiny following a recent defeat, with pundits Jamie Carragher and Daniel Sturridge offering differing verdicts on Xabi Alonso's early-season progress, according to EPL Index.
Carragher reportedly believes a genuine title challenge remains premature for the Blues at this stage, suggesting the squad and manager need more time to develop before they can be considered serious contenders for the Premier League crown.
Sturridge's assessment offered a contrasting perspective, though the specific details of his analysis were not fully outlined in the source report.
The debate comes as Chelsea continue to navigate the early weeks of the campaign under Xabi Alonso, with their recent loss prompting fresh questions about where the club truly stands in the title picture compared to the Premier League's traditional heavyweights.
As EPL Index notes, the contrasting pundit views highlight the uncertainty still surrounding Chelsea's trajectory this season — with some observers urging patience while the rebuilding process continues, even as scrutiny intensifies after any slip in results.