EXCLUSIVE: Manuel Pellegrini's side trail the Blues by five points but the Schalke defender, who left the Etihad on a permanent transfer, believes that "everything is possible"
Schalke defender Matija Nastasic has backed former club Manchester City to overhaul Chelsea in the Premier League title race.
Jose Mourinho's side are currently five points clear of the reigning champions with a game in hand, although the Blues were spectacularly dumped out of the Champions League by PSG on Wednesday.
And Nastasic, who joined Bundesliga side Schalke on a permanent deal earlier on Wednesday, believes Manuel Pellegrini's men are capable of capitalising on any slip from the Blues to be crowned champions.
He told Goal: "Chelsea have a five-point advantage ahead of my ex-club Man City and one match in hand, so it could be plus eight.
"But, if I am not wrong, Man City had eight points less than Man United a few years ago and won the title in the last round, so everything is possible in the Premier League."
However, Nastasic does not believe that in-form Liverpool, who have recovered from a dreadful start to the season to shoot up to fifth in the standings, are capable of finishing top of the pile.
"They have risen since the middle of December but I don't think they could win the title, their goal should be to catch a Champions League place. And than maybe with some improvements in the squad during the summer they could fight for the title next season."
Nastasic also hailed former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, who came within one goal of masterminding the Champions League elimination of Real Madrid in midweek - just a year after the Bundesliga outfit were routed 9-2 on aggregate by the Spanish side under former coach Jens Keller.
"I know Di Matteo insisted on my arrival, but what I am about to say doesn't have anything to do with the fact he wanted me," the Serbian centre-back added.
"His Champions League title with Chelsea [in 2012] shows that he is great expert, and he is also a great tactician and pedagogue, who stands for what he believes in.
"With him Schalke have got discipline and toughness, and we all know what we are supposed to do. At the same time he insists on strength in defence and attacking style. He never gave up on the 3-5-2 formation, not even when he received critics for that.
"He loves to talk to players, always giving advice on what to improve and how, which means a lot to us young players.
"What more do I have to say? Just take a look how Schalke has done against Real Madrid last season, and compare it to this season's clash with Los Blancos!"
