On the Wilt NO MARGIN FOR BLUES’ ERROR

CHELSEA ace Willian has virtually waved the white flag in the title race.

The Blues’ first defeat of the season – at Tottenham last Saturday – left them trailing leaders Manchester City by seven points.

And, ahead of today’s high-noon derby at home to Fulham, Willian conceded there is now margin for error whatsoever if they are to lift the Premier League crown for the third time in five years.

Only a 100 per cent run over the next six months will do, according to the flying Blues winger, 30.

Asked if the gap is already too big to make up, Brazil star

Willian – who played in the

Europa

League rout of

Greek outfit

PAO K

Salonica on Thursday – initially insisted it could be closed.

The Samba ace said: “Not in the Premier League, no. We know it’s very difficult and we must do it step by step.”

But he then added it would require maximum points between now and May for them to be crowned champions again.

“I think we have to win every game. We cannot afford to lose any more points,” added Willian.

Stamford Bridge boss Maurizio Sarri had written off his side as genuine contenders long before their

3-1 crushing at Spurs.

That brought an end to Chelsea’s

18-game unbeaten start to the campaign – and led to the Italian coach branding the performance, ‘A disaster that had been coming’.

Since then Sarri has become embroiled in a heated debate over dynamic N’Golo Kante’s best position.

Most regard the France World Cup winner to be the best holding midfielder on the planet.

Sarri, however, is adamant he lacks the necessary skills to assume that anchor role in his Chelsea line-up.

Willian, unsurprisingly, is not about to dispute that take on a situation simmering at the Bridge.

Nor can he find fault with Sarri’s post-match verdict on Chelsea’s shocking collapse against Spurs at Wembley.

The £30million ex-Shakhtar Donetsk man said: “We know the game against Tottenham was difficult – that it was a disaster, as you say. But sometimes this happens.

“Sometimes it’s not your day, you make mistakes. We have to learn from these mistakes.

“Every single player needs to improve. It’s not only N’Golo. You always have to improve in football – even when you’re winning.”

Whether young teenage talent Callum Hudson-Odoi figures at all this afternoon remains to be seen.

The Three Lions Under-19s starlet was given a first start of the season against PAOK – and underlined his ability with a goal in the 4-0 victory.

And Willian reckons Hudson-Odoi is definitely destined for great things but warns he will need to be very patient to make it at Chelsea.

The two-time Premier League winner, 30, added: “Callum has the potential, he has the talent. He has everything to become one of the best players in the future.

“Maybe in five years we’ll see this. He’s only 18 and has a lot of time to learn.”

Which is more than can be said for Chelsea in the race to rule supreme in the Premier League.