Claudio Ranieri keeps telling us that his £100million summer shopping spree does not make Chelsea serious title contenders this season, but his words of caution do not wash with Arsene Wenger who argues: "How can you spend £100m and still say you're NOT a main challenger?"
I agree with the Arsenal boss because whilst I felt originally that it would take Ranieri's new-look team time to gel, months not weeks at that, I think we have seen enough evidence in the opening three Premiership games that Chelsea are already playing like a team. More so than champions Manchester United, in fact.
With Makelele to come into the side, with all his power, ability and confidence, the Blues will be that much stronger and they are already making a nonsense of Ranieri's claims that 'only a stupid man would think that we can win the title this season'.
Ranieri has also gone on record as saying: "An intelligent man would know that there are three big teams - Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal - who are settled and have been around for years. It's impossible to compare us with them."
The response from the Arsenal boss, however, is a tad more realistic and whilst Ranieri continues to play it safe, Wenger says: "For me, that's nonsense because Chelsea have to be considered as much of a threat as Manchester United or Liverpool on that basis.
"At Arsenal, we won the Double in 1998 after buying five or six new players at the start of that season. So it is possible to win things by spending money on the right players."
New Chelsea signing (how many times have we written that this summer?) Makelele certainly believes he has joined a club ready to start claiming titles at home and abroad and there's nothing conservative about his opening gambits on completing his move from Madrid.
"The squad Chelsea have put together is one of the best in the world - nobody can doubt that," boasted the confidence Frenchman. "They are in the hunt for everything in England and in Europe. Already they have a more balanced team than Arsenal and Manchester United - especially in midfield.''
More balanced than United at the moment, perhaps, but not more so than Arsenal who have hit the floor running this season, making their best start to a league campaign for 56 years with performances that, so far at least, have justified Arsenal's frugal policy this summer.
Wenger is more than happy with his lot after three opening triumphs and, whilst conceding that Chelsea MUST be taken seriously, he adds: "There is also a benefit to be had from keeping the same squad.
"Apart from our new goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, we had the same players as last year and they are focused and buzzing because they all had the frustrating experience of missing out on the championship.
"I'm sure that this has played a big part in our form so far this season. We have not had to make any changes and although we may have to change that when people come back from the international break, I'm confident we still have enough quality there."
Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira, meanwhile, shares the Wenger view that Chelsea are 'one of the contenders for the title' and he reckons Makelele could be the final piece of a very expensive jigsaw. He says: "If he settles in well then they are a team capable of winning the title."
Already, after just three games, it's turning into a fascinating scrap at the top of the table and we must now see how Mr Makelele settles in and imposes himself on the Premiership. I believe he'll prove to be as important to Chelsea as Vieira is for Arsenal.
As he has so modestly said himself already: "You don't get to play for Real Madrid if you are not a great player - and I am one of the best in the world." Over to you Claude!
