Antonio Conte’s side lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace yesterday, a side that had failed to register a goal or point in their opening seven Premier League games.

They’re now nine points behind leaders Manchester City and Mcmanaman doesn’t think they have enough quality to mount a challenge over the course of the season.

“I would say it’s over,” he said.

“I didn’t fancy them to win the league anyway come the end of the transfer window so it’s not a surprise to me.

“Before they began the season, certainly at the end of the transfer window, would you have said hand on heart that Chelsea were your favourites to win the title?

“I don’t think so. I don’t think anybody chose them so that’s what we all thought about it.”

Conte travelled to Selhurst Park with a depleted squad and suffered more injury woes when Victor Moses limped off with a hamstring problem in the first half.

Defeat to Roy Hodgson’s side was Chelsea’s second in a row, after a home loss to City before the international break, and with a busy run of fixtures approaching, Mcmanaman can see them struggling.

He added: “Chelsea can’t lose any more games. I think they lost, what, three games last season in their title victory – they’ve lost three already this year.

“That shows you instantly what they’re fighting against and the fact they’re going to have to travel in the Champions League as well makes it doubly as hard.

“When you’re missing a couple of players… Morata and Kante and that, you would never have thought that Chelsea have left themselves short.

“I’m absolutely amazed that, a couple of injuries in, and they look like a ghost side of what they were last year. They were strong and powerful last season – they’re not now.”

Last season's champions are strugglign for goals wihout summer signing Alvaro Morata and Conte will be keeping one eye on Swansea loan star Tammy Abraham, who is in excellent form.

Chelsea are back in action on Tuesday as they host Roma in the Champions League, before high-flying Watford travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday.