Chelsea’s unexpected rise to second in the Premier League has sparked lively debates among football pundits, with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer sharing a laugh over their earlier dismissal of the Blues’ title chances.

Enzo Maresca’s side continues to defy expectations, leaving fans wondering if a first league title since 2017 could be on the horizon.

On their podcast, The Rest is Football, Lineker, Shearer, and Micah Richards re-evaluated Chelsea’s prospects after the team missed the opportunity to temporarily overtake Liverpool at the top of the table, following a 0-0 draw with Everton on Sunday, December 22.

The discussion took a humorous turn as Shearer quipped: “Not according to us three,” referencing their earlier predictions that Chelsea wouldn’t challenge for the title. The remark left the trio in stitches, with Lineker adding, “I don’t think many Chelsea fans tipped them at the start of the season to win the league.”

Despite the laughs, Shearer maintained some scepticism about Chelsea’s ability to dethrone Liverpool or Arsenal by season’s end. “In the position they’re in, it’s very difficult to turn around and say a definite no. I still think they’ll have a little blip, and I don’t expect them to win it, but they’re having an unbelievable season,” he said, as quoted by the Mirror.

Micah Richards also chimed in, pointing to Enzo Maresca’s own measured comments about Chelsea’s title chances. “Well, [Enzo] Maresca said they can’t win the league because of their defensive errors. I don’t know if he’s playing mind games here. Is he using reverse psychology? I like what he’s doing; the team is performing.”