‘There are many contenders’ – Enzo Fernandez names five teams in Premier League title race
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has outlined the five clubs he believes are firmly in the hunt for this season’s Premier League title, insisting the race is far from a three-horse contest.
Arsenal currently lead the pack with a five-point cushion, having lost just once in their opening 13 matches.
Chelsea, who entered last weekend in second place, slipped to third after a 1-1 draw with the Gunners, while Manchester City leapfrogged them with a late comeback win over Leeds United.
Fernandez identifies the title challengers
Despite fluctuating form across the league, Fernandez is convinced the competition remains wide open.
“Of course we are [title contenders],” he told GiveMeSport. “This season, there are many contenders: Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United. All the teams are battling towards the top.
“There are some very strong Premier League sides. Arsenal have also been doing really well for many years. And Liverpool are a great side. I’m not going to choose one because they’re all good.”
Confidence beyond the league
Fernandez expressed optimism that Chelsea can not only sustain a title push but also deliver in Europe. He believes the squad is equipped to challenge deep into the Champions League.
“We know the Champions League is very tough,” he said. “We’ll try to reach the final, which is what we deserve as a club. We’ve been doing well, so we’re capable of being right up there.”
Chelsea’s stabilization under Maresca
Reflecting on Chelsea’s turbulent transition under Todd Boehly, the Argentine midfielder said the squad has finally found structure and clarity.
Early instability, including multiple managerial changes and an oversized squad, had hindered progress.
“When I arrived, there were so many players coming and going,” Fernandez noted. “It was a hard period… I think there were 30 of us or even over 30 players.
“It was crazy. And there were many manager changes before Chelsea went for Enzo Maresca. That’s when the club started to build more solid foundations. We developed our footballing identity… Now you can see how settled we are.”
Doubts over Liverpool and Man United persist
While Fernandez includes Liverpool and Manchester United in his list of contenders, both clubs face credibility challenges.
Liverpool, after a major summer rebuild, have endured their worst run since 1953, losing nine of their previous 12 matches before a morale-boosting victory over West Ham.
United, despite Sunday’s comeback win at Crystal Palace, have dropped points in more than half their games and are still recovering from last season’s disastrous 15th-place finish.
Nevertheless, Fernandez maintains that the title race remains broad, and Chelsea, in his view, are positioned to compete on all fronts.
