Chelsea's recent 5-1 win over Southampton was just the latest in a series of positive results for the Blues, who have been one of the most entertaining and in-form teams in the Premier League this season.
The Blues' expected goals (xG) total against Southampton was the highest ever recorded by a Premier League away team (5.29).
In all competitions, Chelsea have scored 57 goals in 22 games, seven more than they managed in the 2022-23 season.
The Blues' current goals-per-game ratio (2.6) is the best in their entire history, with the Stamford Bridge side even scoring more than Premier League leaders Liverpool. Of course, playing only in the Europa Conference League has helped Chelsea rack up plenty of goals.
These numbers, however, are not random or accidental. It feels like the maturation of a team hungry for stability. And in Enzo Maresca, they have found a coach who combines calm with toughness.
Chelsea are now level on 28 points with second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League, a feat unimaginable under Graham Potter or Mauricio Pochettino. And the rise of the Blues as a team has also had a positive impact on individuals.
Alongside Cole Palmer's fine form, there has been a marked improvement in players who have been criticised in recent seasons. Most have predicted that Enzo Fernandez will be dropped, as will Moises Caicedo. Meanwhile, there has been a great deal of disappointment over Nicolas Jackson's finishing ability.
All that has changed. A fresh start and a clearer plan, with consistent selection and a fixed 4-2-3-1 formation, has allowed Chelsea's players to thrive.
Jackson has turned expected goals into actual ones and looks like a striker capable of leading a title-challenging side. Fernandez is finally finding space to create in midfield, while Palmer remains a shining star.
Then came the rise of Christopher Nkunku, who has scored eight of his last nine appearances, contributing 12 goals in total. Confidence at Stamford Bridge is soaring and the reliance on Palmer is becoming a thing of the past.
But on a more critical level, Chelsea are still a team in transition. Their defensive flaws are often masked by their attacking prowess. They often win games by scoring more goals than their opponents. This is not a sustainable way to develop.
Clubs with largely young and inexperienced squads rarely maintain consistency throughout the season, and Maresca will be well aware of the tougher challenges ahead. This weekend’s trip to Tottenham is a high-stakes affair for the Blues.
