"I still think" – Alan Shearer makes Chelsea season prediction after defeat to Fulham

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Alan Shearer is still backing Chelsea to finish in the top four despite their Boxing Day defeat against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues slipped to their third league defeat of the season as their neighbours scored twice in the last ten minutes, including a 95th minute winner.

Chelsea dropped to third in the table, a point behind Arsenal, but still remain on track to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Shearer still backing Chelsea to finish in the top four

The Blues are well ahead of expectations at this stage of the campaign, something Enzo Maresca has pointed out on a number of occasions.

The Italian has made a brilliant impact in west London and Chelsea have played some of the best football in the league this season.

Chelsea have found themselves in the title conversation, but as Maresca has insisted on numerous occasions they aren't title contenders, with the defeat to Fulham a prime example.

Having drawn to Everton last weekend the Blues have failed to win their last two games, although there's no need to panic, and Shearer still believes they will finish in the top four.

"Oh absolutely [Chelsea are ahead of the curve]," he told Match of the Day.

"I think when you look at where they are now, there's no doubt they'll have taken that.

"I still think they'll finish in the top four which would be a brilliant achievement for them and I think they'll win the Conference League also."

Chelsea finish the year with a trip to Ipswich on Monday night in a game they will be desperate to win, but all things considered it's been a very positive start to the campaign, with the Blues clearly on the right trajectory to getting back to where they want to be, and 2025 looks like it's set to be a big year for the club.