Chelsea are surprisingly in the race for the Premier League title this season, with memories of the 2016-17 campaign when the Blues, under Antonio Conte, defied all expectations to win the title. The current run is not just a story of tactics and efficiency, but also a reflection of the change in the way the team has been managed under Enzo Maresca.
When Chelsea won the title eight years ago, they also started the season in turmoil. A defeat to Arsenal saw Conte abandon his old formation and deploy his favoured 3-4-2-1. The Stamford Bridge side won 13 games in a row, thanks to a strong midfield of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, and 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 tournaments 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 was his ability to sort through players to find the right pieces for the starting XI. With a huge budget of hundreds of millions of pounds under owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea signed 24 new players but many of them failed to live up to expectations.
However, Enzo Maresca's system is working well and is a contrast to his predecessors. Chelsea are currently the top scorers in the Premier League with 35 goals in 15 games and are closing the gap on Liverpool to just four points. The Blues have now won four games in a row, showing stability and potential to challenge for the title.
The London club are benefiting from not having to play in many major tournaments. Unlike rivals Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City, they do not have to endure the pressure of a tight schedule. This helps key players maintain better form and fitness.
However, Chelsea's biggest challenge will be their ability to maintain consistency against unexpected opponents. This season's Premier League has a different feel to recent seasons when the big teams have been inconsistent at times.
Man City are in their biggest crisis since Pep Guardiola took charge. Arsenal are struggling with injuries and there are still doubts about their form. Despite leading, Liverpool are showing signs of vulnerability when times get tough.
Chelsea’s challenges are still many, though. A long season with strong opponents like Liverpool and dangerous mid-table sides like Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Brentford could cause the Blues to stumble at any time. Furthermore, the post-Christmas fixtures will be a real test for Maresca’s squad.
In the current context, Chelsea are no longer a name to be underestimated. From the position of a team rebuilding, they have risen to challenge the strongest opponents in the tournament. Although there is still a lot of work to do, especially improving the stability in defense and maximizing the ability of new players, it cannot be denied that The Blues under Maresca are having a season full of surprises.
If history repeats itself as it did under Conte, Chelsea could well be on their way to another fairytale. Success this season will be a testament to Enzo Maresca’s tenacity, tactical intelligence and managerial talent.
