Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement

Sport

Damien Delaney tips his Premier League winners | 'They're hungry for it'

Damien Delaney says Chelsea are his pick to lift the Premier League trophy next May, but only if ...



Damien Delaney says Chelsea are his pick to lift the Premier League trophy next May, but only if Man City fail to sign Harry Kane.

The Champions League winners began their season with an impressive 3-0 win against Crystal Palace, as they look to kick on from their strong second half of last season under Thomas Tuchel.

And Tuchel will hope to have added the final piece to his jigsaw with the signing of Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian striker rejoining the club from Inter Milan for €115m.

Former Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney joined Joe Molloy on Tuesday's Football Show, and says even prior to their impressive showing last Saturday, Chelsea were his pick to go on and win their seventh league crown.

"I think Chelsea are going to win it. I said that before Saturday's performance. I know it's only one game but I'm not basing it on that. I'm basing it on the fact that they are the up-and-comers, the hungry ones, the chasers, they're hungry for success, the manager is in a really good place.

"I just think the hungriest group is going to win this, because it's going to be a long, arduous season," he said.

However, Delaney says his prediction comes with a big "if"; should Manchester City complete their deal for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Delaney says he can't see any team coming close to stopping the current champions.

"If they sign Harry Kane, then I think it's going to be difficult for anybody to get anywhere near Man City. If they sign him he's a perfect player for them. He's a focal point, he's a goalscorer, I don't think City at the moment are in a good spot with a false nine, I don't like it. It overcomplicates Pep's game.

"I know that teams will give them a run for their money bit would fully expect that come February they would go on a run like they did last year and win 15 in a row and get over the line pretty comfortably," he says.

Of the other title contenders, Delaney says Liverpool are certainly in with a shout, but admits they will need more than what they currently have if they're to recapture their 2019 and 2020 form.

"Liverpool, for me, are more than capable of winning the league, but there are questions that have to be answered first. Will the lads coming back from long term injuries be like new signings? I still think Liverpool could just do with an injection of someone walking through the door, just to inject a bit of life into the players. The Premier League season is long and there's a danger of getting too carried away with performances.

"European football starts up again, there's a lot of international games, there's a world cup on the horizon, there's an awful lot of games to be played, and I do think it'll be a war of attrition.

"Chelsea have the hunger, they have the squad size, and they have a manager who is hungry to win the Premier League. That's why I would tip Chelsea," he says.

Football on Off The Ball with Paddy Power – new normal? Same old football. Visit PaddyPower.com to get the latest on the Acca-Cracker Free Bet.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Chelsea Damien Delaney Harry Kane Manchester City Paddy Power Premier League

Live: Title

Description

Added to queue
Removed from queue

On Air

Share

Share

Next up in queue

Title
Description
Duration

There are currently no podcasts in the queue

Go to podcasts

On Air

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Share

Up next

LIVE: OTB Weekend

LIVE: OTB Weekend

01:00 PM-01:30 PM

Share

LIVE: The Saturday Panel

LIVE: The Saturday Panel

01:30 PM-02:30 PM

Share

LIVE: OTB Weekend

LIVE: OTB Weekend

02:30 PM-03:00 PM

Share

LIVE: OTB Football Saturday

LIVE: OTB Football Saturday

03:00 PM-05:00 PM

Share

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

05:00 PM-12:00 AM

Share

Repeat: OTB AM

Repeat: OTB AM

12:00 AM-02:00 AM

Share

Repeat: Off The Ball

Repeat: Off The Ball

02:00 AM-05:00 AM

Share

Repeat: OTB AM

Repeat: OTB AM

05:00 AM-07:00 AM

Share

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Share

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Share on