BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club pundits have been discussing Chelsea's Premier League credentials.

Xabi Alonso's side are currently fourth in the table, having taken 13 points from seven games, but former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has warned against getting "so excited and giddy" about the prospect.

The Observer's Rory Smith said: "If Chelsea don't make the Champions League spots this season, with their squad and no European football, it would be a mere calamity.

"Given the way they are improving and the rate that Xabi Alonso is solving problems, if Arsenal dip a bit and Manchester City are docked points, there is a world in which Chelsea could at least challenge for the title."

Sutton interjected to ask: "Why are you getting so excited and giddy about Chelsea? They beat Everton, who haven't got any players, and they beat Bournemouth, who hadn't won a game up until last weekend and had a better xG on the day.

"They have also lost to Brentford 3-0 this season, so I don't understand what you're getting so excited for?"

Smith replied: "It is absolutely fair to say the collapse against Brentford is the big cloud above all of this.

"However, Alonso has an attack that works really well with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, and Moises Caicedo being back in contention is really important because he is potentially their best player.

"There is a question mark over the defence, but Alonso has solved problems in his first two months of being manager so there is plenty of reason to be excited as a Chelsea fan."

Hear more from the conversation below or listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds