Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Chelsea's squad, claiming that Frank Lampard's crop are as strong as any other team in the Premier League.

The Blues' busy summer of spending is starting to pay dividends as Chelsea sit third in the Premier League table - only two points behind early pacesetters Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues recently trounced Sevilla 4-0 in the Champions League with a new-look XI as well, and Carragher has hailed the squad depth at Stamford Bridge as the Blues look to forge a title challenge in the English top flight.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Carragher said: "In these early stages of the season, it looks like they've recruited really well. You can make an argument that it's as strong a squad as anyone in the Premier League.

"You could maybe argue, or I think it's a fact, that Liverpool and Man City have a strong XI, but in terms of back-up players right now and other teams getting injuries - certainly Liverpool - that strength of squad is absolutely fantastic and it doesn't feel like the team would be weakened too much no matter who was playing."

Chelsea next face Krasnodar in Tuesday's Champions League dead rubber before a trip to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.