LA Galaxy defender Ashley Cole says that former club Chelsea "have just got to keep going" after starting the season with two wins.
The Blues are enjoying life under manager Maurizio Sarri, especially after last weekend's London derby triumph against Arsenal.
"Chelsea have gone about their business a little bit quiet in terms of having a new manager," Cole said to ESPN FC. "They should be fighting for the title, but I don't think people are [thinking that way] at the minute. To get six points from two games, it's a fantastic start. They've just got to keep going."
The start of the Premier League campaign has proven to be more difficult for Arsenal, another of Cole's former clubs.
"With Arsenal, there's a new manager still, but I think the first two games they had were very, very difficult, so I think they'll start picking up points now," Cole said.
Cole said it was "sad" that his former manager, Arsene Wenger, is no longer prowling the touchline in front of the Arsenal bench, but added that new manager Unai Emery will need some time to put his tactical concepts in place.
"I used to watch the games with [Wenger] in the long jacket and you don't see that no more," Cole said. "But times change, people move on, and I think it was his time to go. And obviously they've brought in a new manager with new ideas and a new philosophy.
"I think it might take a little bit of time, he has to gel the players together, he's got a few new players. To put his philosophy across and how he wants to play, I don't think it's going to happen straight away."