These are the keys that have brought back the smile at Stamford Bridge
«No matter how many games we win, I think we are not prepared to compete for the title“, said Maresca after beating Brentford 2-1 last weekend. Any Chelsea fan would cover their ears when hearing this, rightly so after everything the London team has suffered to find happiness again. Currently, they have five consecutive victories in the Premier League and are the third highest scoring team of the five major leagues: 66 goals in 25 gamesvery close to Bayern (68) and Barça (70). Until 16 players of the squad have seen the door this season.
The reality is that los Blues They had been waiting for this moment for a long time.. Two behind Liverpool, who have the Merseyside derby against Everton pending, and leaders in Conference with less common names and several youth players who have a golden opportunity to shine. On matchday 16, Chelsea were 12th in 2023/24 (19 points) and 10th in 2022/23 (22). Nevertheless, The current situation is what they were looking for and the one that was lost these years. The stability is back and Todd Boehly smiles, a bubble of happiness and several aspects that extend its duration after a period of deep crisis.
The Maresca lifeguard
The investment for the Italian coach was risky, like many other signings. He had just promoted Leicester to the Championship through a combined attractive and intense style of play. He learned from Guardiola, directed Palmer in the lower categories of Manchester City and later landed at Stamford Bridge with a stimulating challenge past. His work with Foxes it was the candy that seduced the London entity: He was promoted the year after falling resoundingly in Premier, achieving 97 points in 46 games, one more than Ipswich, with 89 goals for and 41 against.
Today, has revolutionized Chelsea and he is having a sensational campaign from the bench. In the goal, opted for Robert Sánchez and he took on Jörgensen, who was coming off another great season at Villarreal, leaving out a leading Petrović with Pochettino. In defense, it is true that the right side is his headachesince Reece James He is tied to injuries and Malo Gusto is a constant tug of war, having to bet on Caicedo or Disasi as a patch. However, players like Cucurella or Colwill perform at a good level.
In the center of the field, his own Caicedo is his guardian angelthe untouchable. Lavia started out as his companion, but in recent weeks it is Enzo Fernández the one who has earned the position with supernatural performances and figures never before seen in the Argentine. Palmer is the same as alwayswhile Nkunku It is life insurance as a substitute. For its part, Nico Jackson is the standard bearer of the attack with nine goals and three assists in 15 games. Besides, Sancho is coming back based on trust and Neto and Madueke They fight over the band while Maresca watches attentively.
Bench Depth
“He who laughs last, laughs best”or at least that’s what they say. When the Blues They began to bet on promising young players and filled their squad with players, social networks went crazy. Almost 50 names They filled out an XI whose positions were seen tripled and even quadrupled by footballers who would probably go out on loan or not have many minutes. Despite this, Time has proven Boehly right, for now and while the Financial Fair Play don’t show your head.
The demanding calendar is postulated as the main enemy of teams around the world, especially in the five major leagues, where there are more clubs fighting to enter Europe and participate in new competitions. For its part, Chelsea can boast of having found the balance thanks to its strategy and its inclusion in the UEFA Conference League. Maresca himself could afford to exclude players like Cole PalmerRoméo Lavia and Wesley Fofana for “protect them” and thus make room for less regulars, according to the Italian coach.
“If we don’t win, it will be a failure”he acknowledged Dewsbury-Hallalso formerly of Leicester, about the obligation to win the Conference. The template is much superior to that of the rest of the participants, which is reflected with victories this season such as the 8-0 against Noah of Armenia or the 1-3 against Astana at -10º. Experiences enjoyed by players like Renato Veiga or Marc Guiuwith less presence in the Premier League. On paper, los Blues They are clear favoritesalthough teams like Betis, Fiorentina, Vitória SC or Legia Warszawa will try to fight.
Freezing temperatures were recorded in Almaty / Source: Chelsea Web¿Palmerdependencia?
During the last course, Pochettino publicly highlighted the pending task of this Chelsea. Relying on Palmer is not the ideabut the Argentine coach was forced to pull his club by the ear when they lost 5-0 to Arsenal without their top star. This aspect is something that the Maresca He recently pointed out again: «What we need is for you to enjoy the game. Even without scoring, he has a crucial role.”. The Englishman finished the previous campaign with 25 goals and 15 assists and rivals have already taken measures to discourage his artistry and block his creativity on the field.
More than dependence, now it is coexistence. With so many eyes on him, the Blues They must look for other ways to generate danger and be a winning team. In fact, Palmer is the fourth player in the Premier who receives the most fouls (36)with an average of 2.25 for every 90 minutes and an increase of 0.85 compared to 23/24. Faithful reflection of how it is valued because He is already considered a star. Now everything depends on Maresca’s management when it comes to readjusting its needs and on the London team’s ability to address these challenges.
Even though they don’t let him get into the game as much, His numbers are still crazy.. He has converted the 12 penalties that he has launched since arriving at Stamford Bridge, surpassing Yaya Touré (11). According to SofaScore, it is the third player with highest average (7.89) behind Saka and Salah. Furthermore, it is the second highest rated in terms of goals generated (17), key passes (2.8) and big chances created (12). It shows up in virtually every offensive parameter. In total? 57 contributions, of which 50 (33 goals and 17 assists) are registered in the Premier League. No player domestically has these numbers since last season. Neither Haaland, nor Salah.
Although Maresca says otherwise, this Chelsea can dream for the Premier League. Despite his inexperience in the fight for titles, They have a one-of-a-kind player. One with the ability to enter a war under a cold and emotionless personality. What ice shows, hunger hides. He is vile and ruthless, but he has a heart incapable of retaining the passion that any young man would show on the pitch. In these types of battles, what matters is intelligencebut also the strategy. We don’t need the best men, but trained men.
