Frank Lampard Comments on Chelsea's 2016-17 Premier League Title Prospects

Chelsea will run away with the Premier League title this season, according to the club's all-time record goalscorer Frank Lampard. 

The Blues are six points clear at the summit as things stand, having strung together an incredible 11 wins in succession under first-year manager Antonio Conte. When asked about Chelsea's prospects for the rest of the term, Lampard was upbeat in his expectations, per Mark Crellin of Sky Sports:

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As a Chelsea man it is great to see, all credit to everybody there. The manager obviously changed the system after a defeat at Arsenal. Nobody would have fancied them to be anywhere near winning the League at that point and now they look the dominant team.

I don't like to tempt fate but I can't see anyone who has got the consistency to close the gap, so I fancy Chelsea strongly now.

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At the moment, it's difficult to disagree with Lampard, as the Blues are on a roll under Conte. Players who looked jaded and lacked confidence last term are reinvigorated under the stewardship of the lively Italian, while the 3-4-3 system utilised by the league leaders has left opposition managers scratching their heads.

The Chelsea Twitter feed summed up their tremendous sequence following their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday:

One of the most impressive traits of the team has been their ability to win matches in different ways.

Against Manchester United and Everton, matches Chelsea won 4-0 and 5-0, respectively, the Blues were sensational in their attacking play and pressing. 

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However, there's a steeliness to Conte's team, too, as has been on display in their last three wins. Indeed, the Blues have beaten West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Palace by a 1-0 scoreline, with the defence and goalkeeper playing their part in victories, too.

In Diego Costa, Chelsea have arguably the standout No. 9 in world football as things stand, while Eden Hazard has found his groove again, too.

While things are going well for the Blues as this juncture, there's still a long way to go in the season, with the campaign still not at the halfway mark. And there are some very strong pursuers, something Lampard did touch upon after making his bold prediction.

"[Man] City are in a decent position," said the former England international. "And there are teams with quality for sure—City, I think Liverpool are very good to watch this year, and Arsenal. ... But with Chelsea, when you take that kind of a gap into Christmas, I think barring suspensions or injuries to top players like Hazard and Costa, I fancy them to carry it through."

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Liverpool are the team in closest proximity to Chelsea, and they will be buoyed heading into the Christmas period after a dramatic late winner against Everton on Monday. City will also feel confident of putting a run together after they came from behind to beat Arsenal on Sunday.

But with a team in perfect sync, winnable fixtures on the horizon and their vibrant manager on the touchline, it's tough to look beyond the Blues. And as a man who won three Premier League titles with Chelsea, Lampard will know how important it is to set a blistering pace in pursuit of glory.