Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, highlighted Chelsea’s progress this season, stating, “Chelsea showed today that this year is different. They are stronger. They don’t have the doubts they had last year.” His comments came after Villa suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Chelsea, underscoring the significant improvement the Blues have made under their new leadership.
Chelsea’s victory was fueled by goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez, and Cole Palmer, continuing a strong start to Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca’s appointment had initially been met with skepticism, especially after the team’s improved form under Mauricio Pochettino at the close of the 2023-24 season and their lackluster pre-season tour in the United States, which raised doubts about his ability to lead the club.
However, Maresca has proven his critics wrong by introducing an effective and cohesive style of play that has propelled Chelsea from mid-table mediocrity to serious title contenders. Although Liverpool maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League, Chelsea sit third, level on points with Arsenal and two points ahead of a struggling Manchester City.
Despite Chelsea’s strong performances, Maresca has downplayed any talk of competing for the title, emphasizing that his squad is not yet ready to challenge heavyweights like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
Still, Chelsea’s performances suggest otherwise. With one of the league’s most talented squads, the Blues are reasserting themselves as a formidable force in English football. While they may not yet rival the dominance seen under managers like Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, or Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea are undeniably on an upward trajectory.
Key players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Moisés Caicedo have been crucial to the team’s resurgence. Palmer, who had struggled with form, ended his goal drought with a stunning strike against Villa. Jackson is emerging as one of the Premier League’s top strikers, while Caicedo has solidified his place as one of the finest midfielders in the league. Chelsea’s squad depth also gives them an edge in managing the tough winter schedule.
The Europa Conference League seems to be within Chelsea’s reach, and while Liverpool remain favorites for the Premier League title, the Blues are in a strong position to take advantage of any slip-ups by the Merseyside club. Injuries to key Liverpool players, such as Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk, could shift the balance in the title race, creating an opportunity for Chelsea.
After their dominant win over Villa, Maresca remained cautious, stating, “We are not ready to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal, and City for many reasons. Just because we won today, I’m not going to change my idea. We’re not ready for that. But the good thing is that we are improving, and hopefully, very soon, we can be there.” He acknowledged the need for more big-game experience but remained optimistic about the team’s development, adding, “We’re going to be there soon, but it’s the reason we are still far away and not yet ready to compete.”
Although Maresca remains careful with expectations, Chelsea’s performances this season speak volumes. They’ve lost only four of their 21 matches across all competitions, with each defeat being narrowly avoidable. Their season-opening loss to Manchester City was decided by fine margins, and their close loss to Liverpool was fiercely contested. Defensive mistakes cost them in matches against Servette and Newcastle, despite dominating much of both games.
It’s clear that Chelsea no longer fear the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, or Manchester City. While they haven’t consistently beaten top teams, they’ve shown they can compete with them on equal terms. A full title challenge may still be a step too far this season, especially with Liverpool’s relentless form, but Chelsea’s resurgence places them back among the Premier League’s elite clubs.
With a young, talented squad and a manager whose tactics seem tailored for success, Chelsea appear to have rediscovered their identity.
Maresca’s appointment looks to have been a masterstroke, and the Blues are poised to achieve significant success in the near future. While their journey back to the top may not be complete, one thing is clear: Chelsea are back, and they are determined to make their mark.
