Gary Neville believes Chelsea are nowhere near ready to challenge for the Premier League title this season, insisting the current squad has too many weaknesses to compete with the league’s best.

Speaking on Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Leeds United on Wednesday night, the former Manchester United captain questioned the balance of Enzo Maresca’s team and highlighted several positions he feels are far below title-winning standard.

Naija News reports that Chelsea fell two goals behind at Elland Road after Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka struck in front of a roaring home crowd. Pedro Neto offered hope with a goal early in the second half, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the result after capitalising on a defensive mistake.

Neville said, “I don’t think they can win the title. In fact, I don’t think they’ve got a chance. Chelsea does have some gaping holes when you see title-winning teams.

“Chelsea’s team is well built, it’s got an incredible amount of talent, but the centre-backs tonight were poor in every way. The goalkeeper is not good enough to be a title-winning goalkeeper, and then at centre-forward, they’re good players, but they’re not at the levels that are required to win Chelsea a title.

“They’ll finish in the top four, but the inconsistencies are still there.”

The defeat has raised questions about Chelsea’s progress under Maresca, especially after a summer of heavy investment and growing expectations following their Club World Cup triumph.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke said his side earned the win by refusing to be intimidated by Chelsea’s international stars. He praised the energy of the home crowd and the work rate of his players, describing the performance as one of their best of the season.

“We were so desperate to bring this club back to the top level, and Elland Road was back to its best,” Farke told the BBC.

“A great, great shift from my lads, great performance against one of the best sides in the world. They won the [Club] World Cup in the summer, they are one of the contenders for the Premier League title, and then to win this game, also in this manner, and I would also say deserved by chances, expected goals, shots, shots on target.”

The result lifted Leeds out of the relegation zone, while Chelsea dropped to fourth place.

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