Neville predicts Chelsea's final position as he issues Premier League title verdict

Gary Neville believes the work Chelsea have done in the transfer market will see them push for second place this season under Xabi Alonso in his first season in charge. The former Manchester United defender has been impressed by the work they've done in the transfer market, but still feels that Arsenal will win the Premier League title.

The Gunners sent out an emphatic statement with back-to-back 3-0 wins, first over Manchester City in the Community Shield and then over Coventry City in their Premier League opener. Despite missing a number of players through injury and fitness problems, Mikel Arteta's side made light work of the top-flight newcomers on Friday.

City nabbed a late winner against Bournemouth, but Liverpool needed a late penalty to draw with Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Spurs were both beaten by Hull City and Brentford respectively. Alonso and the Blues kick-off their Premier League campaign at Craven Cottage, having brought in Morgan Rogers and Mexence Lacroix in two statement signings to bolster their ranks.

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Both players started Chelsea's Premier League curtain raiser against the Cottagers, while Enzo Fernandez, who has been linked with a move to City, had to settle for a place on the bench. Despite the new additions, both Neville and Jamie Carragher feel it's going to take something special to beat Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Speaking on Monday Night Football ahead of Chelsea's game against Fulham, Neville said: "It's a big ask, with the quality Arsenal have, the strength they have, the confidence.

"But I think Chelsea, looking at the rest of [the contenders], and what Chelsea have done in this transfer window, I think they're in a good place. They could push for second."

Fellow pundit Carragher added: "We're looking at Chelsea doing OK on the fact Alonso has come in - it feels they've done really well to get a manager of that calibre, given how poor last season was - and the fact they have no European football, and they've been in the transfer market.

"There's definitely a shift there. They've realised mistakes they've made in the past. Chelsea have got five or six really top players.

"Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix could add to that. They're the two signings I really look at.

"If you add them to those five or six players and they perform well and settle in, that's why we think they could have a really good season."

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