Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is beginning to believe that his side are on a similar level to Manchester City and Liverpool as the top teams vie to achieve Premier League glory this season.
The Blues have faced the Reds on two occasions in the past week, with the first meeting coming in the Carabao Cup and the most recent coming in a blockbuster Premier League clash.
Chelsea were able to advance through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as they came away from Anfield with an impressive 2-1 victory over their counterparts.
Sarri’s men impressed once again on Saturday when the two sides met but were unable to clinch all three points. A sensational late strike from Daniel Sturridge meant that Liverpool were able to come away with a draw from Stamford Bridge.
Speaking after the score draw on Saturday, the Italian boss assessed his side’s chances of competing for Premier League glory, admitting that Chelsea are “closer” than he thought to the levels of Liverpool and Manchester City.
As quoted by BBC Sport, Sarri delivered his verdict on Chelsea’s chances for the season:
I think City and Liverpool are a step forward of us, but I think also we are more close than I thought one week ago. I think we can fight for the Champions League.
There are six, seven top-level teams, top in Europe, not only in England. It’s not easy to get in the Champions League. We have to try to stay very close on the table with the top level teams. And we have to try to improve more.
