Chelsea and Liverpool 'in danger' of Premier League misery as Arsenal sent title race warning
Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta.(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Richard Dunne reckons Chelsea and Liverpool are 'in danger' of failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League via the Premier League.
Last season, the Blues fell well short of expectations, finishing 10th, with only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom half of the table. Meanwhile, the reigning champions mounted the third-worst Premier League title defence in history.
Only Chelsea in 2016 and Leicester City in 2017 amassed fewer points as champions of England in a top-flight campaign. With new faces in the dugout at Stamford Bridge and Anfield, respectively, Chelsea and Liverpool have shown signs of improvement.
This weekend, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola have the opportunity to climb into the top five of the Premier League, where they'll remain for the upcoming international break. Failure to take three points from Brentford and Bournemouth, respectively, though, could seal dreaded places in the bottom half of the table.
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The Blues manager and the Reds head coach have done well so far, but they've only been in charge for a few months, leaving plenty of room for improvement. As Alonso and Iraola each fine-tune their sides, they could drop points, which could later prove crucial in May.
During an exclusive interview with OLBG on behalf of football.london, Dunne claimed Chelsea and Liverpool are both 'in danger' of failing to qualify for the Champions League this season, with five, possibly six, other teams in the rear view mirror.
"Liverpool and Chelsea will be the main two people are looking at," said the 46-year-old. "I think Brentford and Brighton could also be up there.
"Whether Tottenham or Manchester United can get going, I’m not sure. Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool are probably the four, with Chelsea and Liverpool the two most in danger.
"Then there’s Brighton, Brentford, possibly Newcastle, possibly Tottenham, possibly Villa - probably another seven or eight who can challenge for it. It does make for an exciting season."
When quizzed on the title race, Dunne wasn't afraid to let his mask slip. The former Manchester City defender said: "The top two is between City and Arsenal. It’s going to be a really tight call.
"I would hope City go on and win it, but it’s a really tight call, and it’s very difficult this early in the season to try and guess who’s going to come out on top..."
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