Frank Lampard has said that he only considers two sides to be capable of threatening the dominance of league leaders Manchester City this season.
The 39-year-old, who represented the Citizens in the latter days of his career, believes that Manchester United and Chelsea - currently second and third respectively - are the only meaningful competition for City in the race for the 2017-18 crown.
"Manchester United are still there, and I think Chelsea will be the other main challengers," the Blues' all-time leading goalscorer told talkSPORT.
"I think the others will struggle for the consistency to close the gap on a team who are playing so well in Manchester City.
"But we certainly can't say it's over at this stage, yet.
"What the other teams, other than City, need to do is try and stay in contention and hope for a blip with City.
"At the moment it's not coming... but you have to stay in the game."
The Red Devils have the chance to cut their eight-point gap to their local rivals to five when they welcome them in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Dan Saney
