Gary Neville Finally Admits Chelsea Are Improving – But Still Refuses to Call Them Title Contenders

Gary Neville has reluctantly admitted that Chelsea are finally showing signs of progress under Enzo Maresca – but he still doesn’t believe the Blues are ready to fight for the Premier League title this season.

The former Manchester United and England defender, who has often been one of Chelsea’s harshest critics since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took charge, spoke on The Gary Neville Podcast after watching the Blues dismantle West Ham 5-1 away from home on Friday night.

Neville, who usually has little praise for Chelsea, couldn’t ignore their growing momentum after an impressive run of results that has seen them climb back into the Champions League places, win the Conference League, and even lift the Club World Cup over the summer.

A Reluctant Compliment

Neville admitted that Chelsea’s performance against West Ham was exactly what they needed after stuttering on the opening weekend with a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

“It’s a good away win for Chelsea,” Neville said. “It will just get them going. Is it realistic that they can win the Premier League title? I don’t think so. But I think if you’re getting into the Champions League places and in around there a couple of seasons on the bounce, then you know, you certainly started to move forward. And there’s a long way to go, but it was a game that you would expect them to win as well. Like West Ham are really struggling.”

The words almost seemed painful for him to say. Neville has often questioned Chelsea’s transfer strategy, squad balance, and lack of clear direction in recent years. But with Maresca guiding them to a strong finish last season and adding silverware along the way, even he has had to accept that the club is moving in the right direction.

The Maresca Effect

Maresca’s Chelsea looked ruthless at the London Stadium, brushing aside a struggling West Ham side managed by their former boss Graham Potter. The victory showcased Chelsea’s attacking flair, discipline, and growing confidence – qualities that had often been missing during their turbulent transitional period.

The Italian coach, who took charge just over a year ago, has quietly instilled a structure that makes Chelsea more consistent. They’ve tightened up defensively, rediscovered their scoring touch, and are starting to show the kind of identity fans have been crying out for.

Last season’s Conference League triumph and Club World Cup win may not be enough to satisfy a club of Chelsea’s ambitions, but they do highlight steady improvement. Qualifying for the Champions League again also put them back among Europe’s elite, something that looked out of reach not long ago.

Neville Still Cautious

Despite the progress, Neville isn’t convinced Chelsea can mount a serious title challenge this season. His view reflects a common sentiment among pundits – that while Chelsea are improving, they remain a step behind the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal when it comes to consistency and squad maturity.

“They’re moving in the right direction, but winning the league is a different question,” Neville explained. “They need to be in the Champions League places regularly first. Do that for two or three years, then you can think about titles.”

It’s a cautious outlook, but perhaps a fair one. Chelsea are still a young side with players who need more experience at the highest level. The key for Maresca will be maintaining momentum, turning big wins like the one over West Ham into a consistent habit rather than a one-off performance.

A Turning Point?

For Chelsea fans, the 5-1 win may feel like more than just three points. It could be a statement result that shows this team is ready to put the turbulence of recent years behind them. Neville may not be ready to label them as title contenders, but the signs of growth are becoming harder to ignore.

Whether they can sustain it across a long, demanding season remains to be seen. But for now, Chelsea are finally giving their supporters hope that the club is on the rise again – and even their harshest critics are starting to admit it.