When Enzo Maresca was appointed Chelsea head coach, the football world raised its eyebrows. The Italian, fresh off a Championship-winning campaign with Leicester City, wasn’t the big-name appointment many fans expected. Questions swirled: Was he ready for the pressure of the Premier League? Could he handle a star-studded, chaotic squad? Was Chelsea really gambling on an inexperienced manager?
Fast forward to this season, and the answers are arriving in emphatic fashion. Under Maresca, Chelsea are not just improving — they’re quietly putting up elite numbers that suggest something special is brewing at Stamford Bridge.
Here’s how the Blues rank in the Premier League so far:
- Average Possession – 1st
- Big Chances Created – 1st
- Least Goals Conceded – Joint 1st
- Goals Scored – 2nd
- xG Accumulated – 2nd
These are not the numbers of a mid-table rebuild. These are the numbers of a team edging toward dominance. And yet, outside of Chelsea circles, the wider football world still seems reluctant to give Maresca and his players their flowers.
A Blueprint Built on Control
Maresca’s philosophy is rooted in possession-based football, heavily influenced by his time working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The goal is simple: dominate the ball, dictate tempo, and suffocate opponents by denying them space and time.
It’s working. Chelsea currently lead the league in average possession, often posting 65% or higher in matches. But this isn’t sterile possession for the sake of statistics. The Blues are converting dominance into opportunities, creating more big chances than any other team in the league.
The days of disjointed attacks and wasted buildup play under previous managers feel long gone. Chelsea now look fluid, coordinated, and increasingly ruthless in the final third.
Defensive Solidity
Equally impressive is Chelsea’s defensive record. For a team still relatively young and learning a new system, conceding the fewest goals in the league (joint 1st) is remarkable.
This isn’t a fluke. Maresca has drilled the team in compactness and transition awareness. Chelsea’s pressing is intelligent, their defensive lines disciplined, and their ability to snuff out counter-attacks much improved compared to the chaos of last season.
Goalkeepers and defenders may not be grabbing headlines like prolific forwards, but this defensive foundation is what has allowed Chelsea to push forward with confidence.
Goals, Goals, Goals
Critics often said Chelsea’s biggest issue in recent years was a lack of end product. Despite spending heavily on forwards, the goals weren’t flowing. That narrative doesn’t hold up anymore.
This season, Chelsea rank 2nd in goals scored and 2nd in expected goals (xG). That tells us the finishing is improving, but more importantly, that the team is consistently creating high-quality chances.
Nicolas Jackson is finding his stride, Cole Palmer is emerging as one of the league’s most creative sparks, and new signings are bedding in seamlessly. There’s a balance to Chelsea’s attack that hasn’t been seen since the days of peak Eden Hazard.
The Maresca Effect
So why is Maresca’s work still considered “underrated”? Part of it comes down to perception. Chelsea’s struggles in recent years — the managerial merry-go-round, the expensive signings that didn’t click, and the constant media scrutiny — have led many to write them off as unstable.
But beneath the noise, Maresca has instilled a clear identity. His system is not just about possession — it’s about structure, fluidity, and trust. Players know their roles, and it shows.
- Youngsters like Palmer and Carney Chukwuemeka are thriving.
- Veterans are buying into the project.
- The squad looks united, a far cry from the fractured atmosphere of the past two years.
The Quiet Threat
What’s perhaps most fascinating is how little fanfare Chelsea are getting despite these numbers. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City dominate the headlines, while Chelsea are quietly building momentum in the shadows.
That makes them dangerous. A team flying under the radar, improving every week, with the stats of a title challenger but none of the spotlight — this is the type of setup that can shock the league come the business end of the season.
Are Chelsea Genuine Title Contenders?
The numbers suggest they should be in the conversation. A team that:
- Controls possession better than anyone,
- Creates the most chances,
- Defends as well as the best,
- And scores nearly as much as the top attack…
…is not just competing for top four. They’re building the profile of a team that could, with consistency, mount a serious title challenge.
The key, of course, will be depth and experience. Can Maresca’s relatively young side handle the pressure of a long campaign? Can they keep delivering against both top-six rivals and stubborn lower-table opposition? Those questions remain unanswered.
Final Word
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea might not yet have the aura of Guardiola’s City or Klopp’s Liverpool, but make no mistake — something is happening at Stamford Bridge. The stats don’t lie.
This is no longer the erratic, inconsistent Chelsea of the past few seasons. This is a team with control, creativity, defensive solidity, and firepower. And while the headlines are focused elsewhere, the Blues are quietly building a machine.
If you’re not paying attention to Maresca’s Chelsea now, you might be too late when they’re lifting silverware. His work is criminally underrated — but not for much longer.
