Are Chelsea the real deal in the Premier League title race? It is a question barely on the agenda at the start of the month, but by Sunday evening we will have the answer, and it might just be "yes."

After spending almost £1.5 billion ($1.98bn) on new players since the Todd Boehly/Clearlake takeover in May 2022, a Chelsea title challenge is arguably overdue. It should really be the natural outcome of such lavish investment in the playing squad. But did anyone really believe that Enzo Maresca's young side -- FIFA Club World Cup winners or not -- was ready to take on Arsenal , Liverpool and Manchester City this season?

If Chelsea beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, their title credentials will no longer be up for debate.

- Estêvão has Chelsea looking deserving of world

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