LONDON • Chelsea have failed to secure Champions League football just twice in the past 16 seasons and their record at the business end of this Premier League campaign marks them out as favourites to hold on to their top-four place.

The third-placed side, who have a one-point lead over Leicester (59) in fourth and are ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United by two with four games left, have been tipped to mount a title challenge next term after sealing blockbuster moves for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech. Their splash in the transfer market looks far from over, with Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz firmly in their sights, reported The Telegraph.

Ahead of today's league trip to Sheffield United, Blues forward Christian Pulisic cannot wait to "have fun" with Werner and Ziyech, signed for a combined £90 million (S$158 million) from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively.

He told Sky Sports: "I'm excited to work with them. Those are two guys we know that are really talented, so I'm really looking forward. We can have a really strong team next season."

The American has been Chelsea's standout player since the league restarted last month after the coronavirus-enforced break, scoring three goals and winning two penalties.

And his manager Frank Lampard now considers the 21-year-old to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Pulisic, who has netted eight goals from 16 starts this term, is eager to repay that faith.

"I feel more and more trusted and it feels great," he said. "Finishing in that third spot is where we want to be, and we want to go on and win the FA Cup (Chelsea play the Red Devils in the semi-finals)."

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