Chelsea are surprisingly in the Premier League title race this season. This is reminiscent of the 2016-2019 season when The Blues under the leadership of Antonio Conte overcame all initial predictions to win the championship. The current journey is not only a story of tactics and efficiency but also reflects the change in the way the team is managed under Enzo Maresca.
When Chelsea won the championship 8 years ago, they also started the season in a state of chaos. A defeat to Arsenal has prompted Conte to decide to abandon his old squad and deploy his favorite 3-4-2-1 formation. The Stamford Bridge side won 13 consecutive games in the following year, thanks to a strong midfield with N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, along with the tireless wingers Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso.
Currently, under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea also had a rough start with a 0-2 defeat to Man City. However, the Italian coach quickly reshaped the team, creating clarity in tactics and effectively using the reserve force. In particular, cup competitions such as the Conference League or FA Cup are a great opportunity for players to get used to a new style of play.
One of Maresca's greatest achievements at Chelsea has been his ability to classify players to pick the right pieces for the starting lineup. With a huge budget of hundreds of millions of pounds under owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea has signed 24 new players but many of them have failed to meet expectations.
However, Enzo Maresca's system is working well and bringing a contrasting image to his predecessors. Chelsea are currently the top scorers in the Premier League with 35 goals in 15 games and are narrowing the gap with Liverpool to just four points. Up to this point, The Blues have won 4 consecutive matches, showing stability and potential to compete for the title.
The London side are benefiting from not having to play in many major tournaments. Unlike opponents like Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City, they do not have to face the heavy pressure from the match schedule. This helps the key players maintain better form and fitness.
However, Chelsea's biggest challenge is their ability to maintain stability against unexpected opponents. This season's Premier League feels different from recent seasons when big teams have shown instability at times.
Man City are in their biggest crisis since Pep Guardiola took charge. Arsenal are struggling with injuries and there are still many doubts about their form. Despite leading, Liverpool still show signs of vulnerability when faced with difficulties.
However, Chelsea's challenges are still many ahead. A long season with strong opponents like Liverpool or dangerous mid-level teams like Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Brentford could cause The Blues to stumble at any time. Moreover, the schedule after Christmas will be a real test for Maresca's squad.
In the current context, Chelsea is no longer an underrated name. From the position of a team rebuilding, they have risen to challenge the strongest opponents in the tournament. Although there is still much work to be done, especially improving defensive stability and maximizing the ability of the new recruits, it is undeniable that The Blues under Maresca are having a surprising season.
If history repeats itself as it did under Conte, Chelsea could well create another fairy tale. The success this season will be a testament to Enzo Maresca's perseverance, smart tactics and talented management.
