Can't see them challenging this year with no transfer and an untested Frank Lampard in charge. United, Chelsea and Arsenal will all fight it out for the 4th spot again .
They werent going to challenge anyway, IMO (assuming you mean the title?!).
I fully expect them to be fighting out for 4th regardless.
Though now I think there will be a top 3 of City/Liverpool/Us pushing at the top, then something of a gap - and Arsenal/CHelsea/Utd fighting tooth and nail for that last spot.
At which point, if you were Everton, maybe Wolves, youd fancy your chances of getting in on that action as well...
Lampard? I think on a personal level he cant lose, he has a CL job now, when they sack him he'll still get a PL job somewhere.
In regards to Chelsea they have that unique situation of having a transfer ban, and him being a club man/fan favourite, I cant help feeling it will buy him some time.
Lampard has the bones of a decent squad, lacking in attack, and about 40 loanees to evaluate and make a team from. I cant help thinking that sort of constraint could end up being a blessing in disguise. Something like this would do the job most weeks:
............................Arrizabalaga
....Azpilicueta........Luiz.......Rudiger..........Alonso
.........................Kante.....Kovacic
.........Pedro..............Willian...........Pulisic
...............................Giroud
Bearing in mind, Loftus Cheek, Barkley, Abraham, Hudson Odoi, Jorginho, Christensen, Drinkwater and any number of talented youngsters are around as well...
Question is whether Lampard can pick a system that works with his squad and get everyone on board.