Jamie Carragher has questioned Chelsea’s Champions League hopes for the new season in a move that is unlikely to endear himself to their fans.
Carragher has courted controversy among Blues supporters for a variety of statements he has made over recent years.
Things came to a head last week when the Liverpool icon appeared to play down Chelsea’s Club World Cup win and suggested Enzo Maresca’s side are no closer to winning the Premier League, with some accusing him of having an agenda against the club.
And, on the latest episode of Stick To Football, Carragher’s recent beef with the Blues was gently mocked by Gary Neville, who asked him for a ‘hot take’ for the coming season.
Carragher replied: ‘Hot take on Chelsea from me… I don’t think Chelsea will qualify out of the Champions League group stage.’
Carragher’s response drew a shocked reaction from the rest of the panel, with Jill Scott adding: ‘Oooh, that is a hot take.’
Chelsea are set to take part in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in two years by virtue of their fourth place finish last season.
Despite his comments, later in the episode Carragher did express his belief that the Blues would finish in the top four.
Meanwhile, the drama last week emerged after Carragher had commented on Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph.
‘When I look at Chelsea, I think about what you did in the Club World Cup – everyone wanted to win it,’ he told The Overlap Fan Debate.
‘Real Madrid really wanted to win, PSG did, and so did Manchester City, all those that we class as the best teams.
‘So I do think it’s a big thing and it will help build a connection between Enzo Maresca and the supporters, which wasn’t really there last season.
‘I’m not sure it’ll push Chelsea any closer to the title though. When Chelsea do business, over the last couple of years, it feels like a lot of players are changing without anyone really lifting the level. I know Cole Palmer has been amazing, but all your wingers feel the same.
‘A perfect example is [Jamie] Gittens coming in and Madueke leaving – there is no elevation, and I see that with a lot of positions at Chelsea.’
When he received criticism for his comments, Carragher defended himself further on social media.
‘I don’t speak negatively about Chelsea,’ he said. ‘I give my honest opinion which hasn’t changed in the last 12 months.
‘My comments about players not signing for them is to do with the revolving door at the club, were they just swap players with the same ability, it’s the same this summer.
‘I don’t think they are closer to the title because you can’t win the title with the goalkeeper you have or CBs, plus you will play CL & won’t be able to rotate the team like you did last season in conference cup. I look forward to my own lovely comments!’
Previously, Carragher said the Todd Boehly-led ownership had made a ‘mess’ of the club in 2023, while he criticised their transfer business last summer. Over Boehly’s three-year tenure, Chelsea have signed 50 players and spent almost £1.5billion.
‘Chelsea have just got to stop buying players, and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea,’ Carragher said on Monday Night Football.
‘If I was a player I don’t know why you would sign for Chelsea, the only reason you would sign is because someone – your agent – might say: “You’re getting a seven-year deal and that’s guaranteed money for seven years”.
‘You know what I’d say? Back yourself as a player, sign a four-year deal at a proper club and back yourself to do well, and then when you’re due for a renewal, your money goes up anyway.
‘I don’t understand why players are signing seven-year deals.’
