Enzo Maresca, who took over as manager during the summer following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure, has led the team to a top-four spot in the Premier League and maintained a perfect record in the League Phase of the Conference League.
Carragher acknowledged that his early-season prediction for Manchester United’s league position was far off, with Ruben Amorim’s side now expected to finish even lower than he initially anticipated. ..Continue Reading
Carragher has also expressed confidence in Chelsea’s chances of finishing above Tottenham in the Premier League’s top four this season.
Maresca’s Chelsea currently occupy third place in the league, nine points behind leaders Liverpool and just one point adrift of defending champions Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Tottenham sit in sixth place, three points behind Chelsea, but displayed their attacking prowess last weekend with a stunning 4-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
At the start of the season, Carragher had predicted Chelsea would finish outside the top six, but he now admits he underestimated the transformation brought about by Maresca’s management.
‘I think Tottenham might just miss out but that is not so much about them,’ Carragher told Sky Sports. ‘I think Chelsea have been so impressive at the start of the season and a lot better than I thought they would be.
‘So I am actually looking at Chelsea now. I can’t really make a case for them not being in the top four. I think the fact they’ve gone out the Carabao Cup early, the European competition that they’re in, I think they’ll go in long until the end of the season and probably win that competition but it’s against very average, ordinary opposition so we know Maresca has played the second team in every game and I think that will continue.
‘So I find it very difficult not to put Chelsea in my top four. I will now change Tottenham and Chelsea The reason with Tottenham is just that inconsistency, you look at their numbers, their underlying numbers this season, they’re actually better than they were last season when Tottenham were top of the table and had made the best start for a long time under Ange Postecoglou.
On Manchester United, he said: “In fifth place, this is the biggest mistake I’ve made in my predictions, I put Man Utd in fifth position,” began Carragher. “I don’t think there’s a chance Man Utd finish in fifth.
“I’d be very surprised if they finish in the top six, I can’t really see that happening.
“So I’m going to go for Tottenham [in fifth], I’ve said Tottenham will just miss out on the Champions League positions with Chelsea going in [fourth].
“I just think [Man Utd] haven’t got the players or the quality. I thought [Erik] Ten Hag may almost have a chance of taking them back to where they were in his first season, making them a lot more competitive.
Carragher has also changed his Premier League title winners pick from Manchester City to Liverpool after the strong start to the season made by Arne Slot’s side.
‘I think I would change that right now, if I was asked right now,’ Carragher said.
‘I know there’s still a long way to go, not just Liverpool I actually think Arsenal might finish above Manchester City, even though Manchester City are above them at the moment but I think their problems in midfield.
‘I’m going to go Liverpool to win the league now. I think they will be the bookies’ favourites, and I think they’ve got a sizeable lead.
‘I still think it will be a very tight run-in whether that’s Manchester City trying to get at them or Arsenal coming back at them as well.’
