Gus Poyet has been speaking about two of his former clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and their chances of finishing in the top four this season.
Chelsea and Tottenham will both be challenging for the Champions League places, with the former making quite a good start to the campaign.
Enzo Maresca‘s side currently sit in fifth, just one point behind Arsenal, who are occupying the final Champions League spot.
Chelsea will try to move up the table when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Following Christopher Nkunku’s hat-trick against Barrow on Tuesday, Dean Saunders thinks Maresca could have a problem going into the game.
The Italian may now have to choose between Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, who is also in good form after his brace away at West Ham United last weekend.
Gus Poyet explains why Chelsea can finish above Tottenham this season
In the last campaign, it was Tottenham who finished above Chelsea after securing fifth place.
The Blues, meanwhile, came sixth and had to settle for the Conference League following Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
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This time around, because of all of the attacking talent Chelsea have, Poyet thinks they are more likely to finish in the Champions League places than their London rivals.
“At this stage I would say Chelsea, just,” Poyet told Vavel when discussing the subject. “I think they have the more younger and talented players who can get the team into the top four.
“I think more quality in depth is going to help Chelsea and with the likes of Palmer, [Jadon] Sancho, Jackson and [Noni] Madueke picking up good form, this could be good for Chelsea. Spurs will be a threat, but Ange [Postecoglou] has to adapt his tactics to who he plays.”
Chelsea signed Sancho from United on deadline day, and the winger has already made an impact for his new club after registering two assists in his first two games.
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has described Sancho as “intelligent”, especially when compared to other wide men.
Will Chelsea finish above Tottenham?
Chelsea really improved their attack by bringing in Sancho, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix in the summer.
They now have that on top of Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku, Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk. Tottenham also strengthened their forward line by signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.
Solanke impressed for the Cherries last season, scoring 19 goals in 38 Premier League appearances. However, compared to Chelsea, Tottenham just do not have the same quality. Ultimately, then, you would back Maresca’s men to finish above Spurs and perhaps inside the top four.