Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has tipped Chelsea to be among the sides challenging for the Premier League title come the end of the season.
The Spaniard’s side host the Blues at St James' Park on Sunday and is wary of the quality they possess.
Indeed Benitez - who won the Europa League as Chelsea boss in 2013 - sees Maurizio Sarri’s men as one of three favourites for the crown.
“Maybe at the moment, there are three teams that you could say that they are a little bit ahead of the others, for me – Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City – because of the level, the performances last year and the money they spent,” he said.