Premier League title race: Real Madrid and Barcelona legend Gheorghe Hagi believes it’s a four-horse race… so which two teams are already out of the running?
FOOTBALL legend Gheorghe Hagi believes the Premier League is a four-horse race - and Antonio Conte's Chelsea are not even in the running.
Hagi, 51, whose left foot transfixed admirers the world over, now manages at his own club Viitorul Constanta and is challenging for this year’s championship title in Romania.
And the former Real Madrid and Steau Bucharest midfielder is confident that despite a recent upturn in form, Conte's Chelsea will miss out on top spot.
He revealed: "It's not easy but I think four teams have a chance: Tottenham, Arsenal, [Manchester] City and Liverpool."
Focusing on the strengths of his favourites, Hagi explains: "Liverpool have made good progress in the last year. They have a good coach. I saw they have quality and enthusiasm.
"Tottenham have invested in youth the last two or three years, so they now have a good team. Although it’ll be difficult to win the title.
"Arsenal I think are a very good club and have a good team to win.
"They’ve worked many years to have a good team and I think now they have a good opportunity to win. They have quality and their coach Arsene [Wenger] has plenty of experience.
"And City: wherever Guardiola is, everything is possible! He has the capacity to win quickly.
"In Barcelona, within a year, he had a good team.”
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Guardiola has endured an up and down start to life at the Etihad - but Hagi is confident the Spaniard will bring silverware to Manchester.
He continued: "Barcelona’s concept is the best because they’ve played the same style for 21 years.
"They play possession football. To be perfect. It’s amazing what they do. Barcelona is the example for other teams.
"Then Pep goes to Bayern. For three years, they played this kind of football. In Manchester City now, they start to play good football.
";I think City played very well in the second half ]of the 3-1 Champions League win].
"It can happen, but I think Barca is stronger than City for the moment. In the future we’ll see."
Whenever Hagi gets a break from his frantic schedule with his club, he sits in front of a television to soak up the excitement of the Premier League.
He revealed: "The Premier League is the best championship in Europe right now.
"To see it on television is amazing for me because all the teams have a [big] budget.
"In football, television [money] generates supporters which generates sponsors which generates the best level."