After the transfer market's surprises: Carragher says only one team can challenge Arsenal
A disheartening message to Chelsea
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher believes that only one team can prevent Arsenal from claiming the Premier League title for a second consecutive time.
Known for his controversial opinions, Carragher based his analysis on the sudden changes that unfolded in the final hours of the summer transfer window, which closed on Tuesday evening.
The Enzo Fernández deal, he argued, pushes Manchester City ahead of Chelsea in the title race calculations. The Citizens have now become Arsenal's closest rivals.
Manchester City completed the signing of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for £125 million, in a record deal
Speaking in his analysis on the Sky Sports network, Carragher said: "I think the deal already pushes Manchester City ahead of Chelsea. I, and many others, thought that Chelsea would have a very good season, and I still believe that a big part of that is down to their not participating in the European competitions, having a new manager, in addition to the attacking line they have."
He added: "But they are losing Enzo Fernández, who, for me, was one of Chelsea's big players."
The former Liverpool star continued: "Manchester City look much stronger now. I think they will be Arsenal's biggest rival at the moment. It's a very good squad, there's no doubt about that. Many changes have happened in the team."
Losing Rodri and strengthening the midfield
On the impact of Rodri's departure or absence, Carragher said: "I think losing Rodri was a big thing, and I felt it would be very difficult to make up for that. But if you had said at the end of last season that they would bring in Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández, you would say that's a top-class midfield. They paid a big sum for it, and so it has to be."
He concluded: "I think that gives them the best chance, compared to any other team in the Premier League, of being the main rival, and perhaps the only team actually capable of snatching this title away from Arsenal."
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