Could Improving Chelsea Challenge For The Premier League Title?

by · Forbes
Chelsea's Cole Palmer (centre) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with ... [+] team-mates during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Saturday September 28, 2024. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)PA Images via Getty Images

After a summer of chaos, Chelsea is now just two points from the top of the Premier League table. By beating Brighton on Saturday, Enzo Maresca’s team continued its strong start to the 2024/25 season. Indeed, Chelsea’s record of four wins, one draw and one defeat from six matches has defied pre-season predictions of another disappointing campaign.

Maresca has done an admirable job of remoulding a group of players that has been assembled with no vision or plan over the last two years. The Italian coach has settled on a starting lineup and is getting the best out of players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho who has made an encouraging start to life at Stamford Bridge.

With Arsenal still looking for top gear and Manchester City counting the cost of Rodri’s season-ending injury, Chelsea might be looking to the top of the table. Could the Blues challenge for the title this season? If Maresca has Chelsea playing this week after just two months, how much more improvement will there be over the full campaign?

COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Head Coach Enzo Maresca of Chelsea during a press conference at ... [+] Chelsea Training Ground on September 27, 2024 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Under Maresca, Chelsea attempts to build out from the back. The Blues have had control in most matches they have played this season with defensive strength also evident in the partnership between Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana. Maresca has build his team on top of the defensive foundation provided by the pair.

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In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are finally showing signs of being on the same wavelength, but the real improvement has been in the attacking third. Most notably, Nicolas Jackson looks to have made real strides forward in his development. He is thriving as the first-choice centre forward in Maresca’s new-look team.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea scores his team's first goal under ... [+] pressure from Edson Alvarez of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on September 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)Getty Images

While Chelsea’s transfer strategy in the Todd Boehly era has been muddled, it has resulted in the Stamford Bridge club assembling a squad of quality individuals. With Maresca implementing a clear style of play and structure, it’s only now that this quality is shining through. Chelsea’s depth could be an important factor later in the campaign.

It might be too early in Chelsea’s development under Maresca to realistically target the Premier League title this season, but there is finally a sense that the Blues are heading in the right direction. This is clear in the performances and results now being achieved. This could be the start of a successful period for a club that had forgotten how to win.