Chelsea will challenge for the league title next year, says Harry

Roman Abramovich: The Chelsea owner is 'football mad', says Harry Redknapp (Getty Images)

Harry Redknapp does not believe Chelsea's dip in form and results will last for long. The Tottenham Hotspur manager takes his side to Stamford Bridge today, and although Spurs are currently five points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, he is sure that the club owned by Roman Abramovich will challenge for the title again next year.

"I think Chelsea could easily win it next year," Redknapp predicted. "They could make a couple of signings and win it next year, quite easily, couldn't they? They have the power to do that."

Unless their caretaker manager, Roberto Di Matteo, can overhaul both Tottenham and Arsenal, Chelsea are set for their worst league finish since Abramovich bought the club in 2003. But Redknapp is not predicting the end of anything.

"He is not going to accept fighting for fourth place, is he?" he said of the Russian billionaire. "And they are still in the Champions League. They are going to come back out next year and try to win.

"He [Abramovich] is football mad. I have seen the man there. He isn't going to accept anything but winning. He loves to win. He loves his football. He is a real enthusiast. He doesn't know anything else but being up there."

Tottenham will be without Aaron Lennon today; Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt after missing Wednesday night's draw with Stoke City with a hamstring injury.