Ray Wilkins and Michael Essien have joined forces to question whether or not Manchester City have the staying power to usurp Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title (15/2 Manchester City – Premier League Outright).
The champions bounced back from a 1-0 defeat at Eastlands last month by securing capital gains with a 2-0 victory over London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to lead City by four points at the top of the table.
A fourth draw on the road this season for Manchester United – against Sunderland on Saturday – means they now trail the west Londoners at the top of the pile by five points.
Assistant manager Wilkins accepts City have to be taken seriously given the huge outlay afforded to boss Roberto Mancini, but says Chelsea still view United and Arsenal as the biggest threats to his side’s hopes of retaining the English crown (8/13 Chelsea – Premier League Outright).
The former England midfielder believes Mancini will need more time to work out his strongest team and his new signings have not fused yet.
He told the Independent: “It will always be Manchester United, it will always be Arsenal.
“They will always be there or thereabouts. Yes, City, as fabulous a group of footballers as they have, have got to gel as a unit.”
He added: “They are getting results and good luck to them as well, but it’s never easy when you are just pulling guys together and hoping that it will come together.
“It’s very tough and Roberto (Mancini) is doing a good job for them as well.”
Ghana powerhouse Essien says City’s spending prowess dictates they have to be considered as dangerous – but he is not convinced they have the collective know-how to sustain a season-long challenge for the domestic game’s biggest prize.
He said: “Manchester City are our closest challengers right now. You can see they made good signings and they will be up for it. We will see what happens. I don’t know if they will have the stamina but they have the players to go out and do the job.”
Essien added: “Maybe we have an advantage because we know what it takes to win the league but every season is different. We have to keep going.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s men return after the international break with a difficult Premier League away trip to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on October 16.
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