It took its sweet time but Chelsea Football Club are finding its footing again.
Under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, the Blues sit two points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. This is no small feat for a team that seemed caught in a perpetual state of transition due to profligacy.
Former Chelsea player Joe Cole expressed admiration for Maresca’s work, labeling him the “Manager of the Season” so far. The Blues have won seven matches in a row.
Speaking on TNT Sports after Chelsea’s gritty 2-1 triumph over Brentford, a bubbly Cole said, “It’s looking great! I think Enzo Maresca’s so far manager of the season. What he had to contend with at the start.
“We were talking to him, remember at West Ham, and he was like talking about the 30-odd players he’s got and trying to manage the squad.
“A lot of question marks on the recruitment, and since maybe sort of late September, it’s just been an upward curve.”
An upward curve for Chelsea?
The numbers back him up. Chelsea have scored 37 goals in 16 matches, a league-best that averages out to a remarkable 2.3 goals per game.
While not yet as polished, their defensive record shows significant improvement, with pieces starting to gell.
The chaos of last season feels like a distant memory, even if Maresca insists it is still in the rearview mirror. He remains optimistic but cautious.
“No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we’re not ready to compete for the title,” the coach said after the match at Stamford Bridge.
Challenges remain. A visit to Goodison Park looms, where an Everton side fresh off a goalless draw with Arsenal will provide a stern test. Beyond that lies the broader question of whether Chelsea can sustain this form deep into the season. Maresca’s built the right formula so far.
