Darren Bent insisted that Chelsea will still be a top-three side half a decade down the line.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former striker disputed claims that Newcastle United could knock the Blues from their perch within the next five years.
The Magpies hunting for something shiny
Throughout the club’s respective Premier League histories, neither of their paths have directly crossed.
When Newcastle were challenging for the title back in the mid-90s, Chelsea still hadn’t discovered their financial grip on the division.
Once the Toon Army dropped off in the new millennium, it was time for Roman Abramovich to inject some cash into the sleeping London giant.
Since the Russian tycoon took over Stamford Bridge, his side have only finished outside the Champions League places on three separate occasions.
In that same period, St James’ Park has witnessed two relegations and just a quartet of top half final standings, the highest of which being fifth.
But the future landscape could look very different for Newcastle, following the arrival of their own cash-wielding owners.
Backed by Saudi Arabian money, the Tyneside team now have the resources to rub shoulders with the big boys once again.
This won’t happen overnight, of course.
They are currently very much in a relegation battle and despite spending £93m (Sky Sports) in January, their signings appear to be more about survival than swashbuckling further up the league.
However, having outspent anybody in the top flight, there is no reason why they can’t push for even better players next term, provided they beat the drop.
Then Eddie Howie – if he’s still in charge – could potentially start assembling a squad capable of taking the crown off Manchester City, unless Liverpool or Chelsea miraculously claw back the deficit.
Newcastle the new Chelsea?
Again, this can’t occur simply with a click of the fingers, as Andy Goldstein rightly pointed out.
“I think it’s going to be a slow build. I think top ten is now massive for them next season. If they get tenth or above next season, unbelievable,” said the talkSPORT host.
“That requires patience, by the way,” interjected Bent.
“I don’t think Newcastle, even the owners, can realistically expect to get top four for five years. Is that fair?” questioned Goldstein.
“Maybe not five years, maybe a little bit less than that. Not next season,” replied Bent.
“You say that. It’s going to be at the expense of a club that’s already a giant club. It’s going to be Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City or Man United.
“Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool for sure.
“I don’t know about Chelsea for sure.
“Do you know why for sure? Because Roman Abramovich is not scared to put his hand in his pocket.
“Whenever it goes wrong for them; Jose (Mourinho) left when they were 12th. When Frank Lampard got sacked, they were 11th.
“They bring another manager, give them a load of money and he’ll get them back there.
“What I’m saying is that sometimes the wheels can fall off at the Bridge.
“From what they’ve won in the last 20 years, I doubt it. They’ve won the Champions League twice in ten years. They’ve won the Premier League, they’ve won FA Cups.”
Based on past evidence, there is an extremely slim chance that Chelsea will be displaced by Newcastle any time soon.
However, we might have to eat our words when 2027 rolls around and Howe has just won his third consecutive Premier League trophy.
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