We wrote a lot about Jurgen Klopp’s emotional Anfield departure and subsequent Arne Slot’s arrival. We ran out of words for the ups and many downs of Manchester United, which saw Erik ten Hag being replaced by Ruben Amorim. We vivisected Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for quite a while, trying to understand the reasons behind that severe crisis. We put Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal under serious scrutiny…And in the midst of all those analyses, reports, news and rumours, we missed something big, something really important.Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Chelsea.Hair pulling, red card, six goals, and Chelsea’s dominance in SouthamptonThe years of money-splashing (£1.5bn spent just on signing new players), chaos and inconsistency following Todd Boehly’s purchase of the club affected the Blues on the pitch massively. The former Premier League champions ended last season miles away from a place in the Champions League, let alone the title race. Thankfully for their fanbase, however, the club’s boardroom finally made the right decision – to appoint Enzo Maresca as the new head coach.The Italian tactician definitely brought a sense of calm and stability to the club during this campaign.Chelsea fans serenade Enzo Maresca at full time 🤩💙And he comes from Italy 🎶I’ve missed this!#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/als1qvvrE8— Charlie Patrick (@charliepatrick0) December 4, 2024 Moreover, he implemented an offensive, attractive style of play, which has resulted in 57 goals so far this season in just 22 games in all competitions. That is already seven more than they scored in the entire 2022-23 season (50 in 50 games). Their current goals-per-game ratio of 2.6 is the best in a single season in their entire history! Last but not least, Chelsea are at the moment sitting in the second place on the table behind Liverpool and with a very nice schedule in the next few weeks. It’s about time we acknowledge the fact they are a proper title contender.Hey, um…Chelsea are 2nd in the league and these are the current league positions of the teams they play next- 8th- 10th- 15th- 12th- 18th- 17th- 13th- 19th— Sumeet (@flameosumeet) December 4, 2024 “We’ve got our Chelsea back,” the Blues’ supporters sang during the 5-1 win at Southampton on Thursday night.”It was a very good feeling, especially because you can see that they are happy, that is our target,” explained Chelsea boss Maresca.”We work every day to keep them happy and tonight was a very good feeling, especially the one that they can see that Chelsea’s back. This is an important thing.##NAJAVA_MECA_8547495##When asked if he was surprised how well it has gone so far, the Italian responded: “For sure. I still consider this a big job, but because it’s a big job it doesn’t mean you are not thinking to do the right things.”We are ahead of my expectation – in the way we are playing and in terms of results. We started four or five months ago. It’s very, very early – a short time together.”But the best feeling I have is that there are many things we can do better and we are [going] in the right direction.”ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 14TuesdayIpswich – Crystal Palace 0-1 (0-0)/Mateta 59/Leicester – West Ham 3-1 (1-0)/Vardy 2, Khannous 61,Daka 90 – Fullkrug 90+3/WednesdayEverton – Wolverhampton 4-0 (2-0)/Young 10, Mangala 33, Dawson 49 og, 72 og/Man.City – Nott.Forest 3-0 (2-0)/Silva 8, De Bruyne 31, Doku 57/Newcastle – Liverpool 3-3 (1-0)/Isak 35, Gordon 62, Schar 90 – Jones 50, Salah 68, 83/Southampton – Chelsea 1-5 (1-3)/Aribo 11 – Disasi 7, Nkunku 17, Madueke 34, Palmer 76, Sancho 84/Arsenal – Man Utd 2-0 (0-0)/Timber 54, Saliba 73/Aston Villa – Brentford 3-1 (3-0)/Rogers 21, Watkins 28 pen, Cash 34 – Damsgaard 54/Thursday22:30: (2.45) Fulham (3.50) Brighton (3.00)23:15: (2.70) Bournemouth (3.90) Tottenham (2.50)***odds are subject to change***
