Chelsea FC are the 2024-25 Premier League champions—what would be your first reaction upon reading this headline at the end of the current campaign? Probably, ‘surprise’ would be the perfect description of the emotion, let alone the ardent Blue supporters going over the moon. For Landon Donovan, however, even though the USMNT icon would ‘go on a limb’ to hope this becomes a reality for Enzo Maresca and Co., he still considers it as a ‘fake headline.’

Well, the backstory of this headline came in the latest episode of the Unfiltered Soccer podcast. Co-hosted by US icons Donovan and Tim Howard, both were seen guessing whether such front-page news like Chelsea potentially winning the title is true in a segment that has been carried forward in this show. Hence, commenting on Enzo Maresca’s side doing such a heroic at the end of the season was something that still left Donovan quite indecisive.

“I really, really want to go on a limb here and say it’s a real headline,” began the former US striker on his podcast show. “[But] I just think they’re just a little young and immature. If this was a year or two from now I’d say I think they could do it. It’s a fake headline but, we’ll see. Maybe it’ll be real,” added the former LA Galaxy superstar.

The Premier League never fails to entertain, and this season has been no exception. Having just reached the half stage of the 2024-25 campaign, there has already been enough drama. Speaking of the title race, the top 4 looks to be a tough spot to get hold of as always, with this time Liverpool and Chelsea showcasing promising signs. While Arne Slot’s side are ruling the table with a tally of 45 that they achieved in 18 games, the Blues are ten points behind the Reds and take the fourth, with Arsenal (39) and Nottingham Forrest (37) also surprisingly vouching for the title in the process.

Of course, it remains a matter of a few points, and Maresca’s men can do the needful to go all the way. Then again, Donovan remains skeptical of the Londoners’ chances to do something magical at the end of the season. Interestingly, this reaction differs from that of the icon’s fellow co-host and former teammate!

Enzo Maresca and Chelsea winning the 2024 Premier League is not a ‘terribly’ fake headline!

Unlike Landon Donovan being supportive yet constructive of Chelsea’s chances to pip the mighty Liverpool to win the Premier League, Tim Howard thinks otherwise. The former Manchester United goalie believes that the headline of Enzo Maresca and Co. potentially challenging for the prestigious title is “not as fake as one might think.”

Further heaping praise over the London-based club who last won the PL nine years ago, Howard added, “I think that it could happen. I still wouldn’t put them as my favorites but I like them and, not a terribly fake headline.” Well, given the halfway of the English division race has been reached, one can give a benefit of the doubt to Chelsea for pulling up such a possibility—last season, they finished sixth under Mauricio Pochettino.

This year, however, even though poor starts and tough defeats leave a few quite skeptical about their chances, the Blues are still managing just fine. So, who knows, reaching the start of summer and end of the 2024-25 campaign, might the soccer world get to witness Chelsea doing the unthinkable? What do you think? Share in the comments.