Manchester City dumped Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup in November (Picture: Getty)
Joleon Lescott believes that Chelsea have a similar level of quality as Premier League champions Manchester City this season.
The Blues are all the way down in ninth in the table after enduring an abysmal 2022-23 campaign so far.
The west London club are in a period of transition, having changed owners in the summer with Todd Boehly spending around £280m on new players.
American businessman Boehly also sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel in September, replacing him with Graham Potter.
City, meanwhile, are second in the league and have 11 more points than Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won four of the last five Premier League titles but are currently seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea and City are due to face each other on Wednesday night and Lescott, who won two Premier League titles during his five-year stay at the Etihad, believes that ‘there’s not a lot between the sides quality-wise’.
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He told LiveScore: ‘It’s a tough game for Chelsea. I think this group of players they have and this manager will probably fare better against better teams in time.
‘But I have to go for a City win – there’s not a lot between the sides quality-wise but confidence and understanding is much higher currently in the away camp.
‘If the hosts are beaten easily, I think this will be the most pressure Graham Potter has ever been under in his managerial career. Pressure ramps up very quickly at the top level.’
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Lescott is also backing Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham to lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
‘Things are not going to plan for Spurs and this tricky trip to Crystal Palace is the last thing they would’ve wanted,’ he added.
‘A London derby under the lights will have the Eagles up for it and I simply can’t pick the visitors to win this given their recent performances.
‘Of course, their superstars could click into gear at any time. But until then, more trouble lies ahead.’
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‘Not a lot between the sides quality-wise…’
