Enzo Maresca again played down talk of a Premier League title challenge after his Chelsea side recorded their seventh consecutive win in all competitions against Brentford on Sunday.
But is it time to seriously consider Chelsea as genuine title contenders?
The mere suggestion of such a turnaround in fortunes in the summer would have been met with incredulity but, after a stunning run of form, it really doesn’t seem so daft anymore.
The Blues’ 2-1 win against Brentford on Sunday moved them into second place in the league and to within just two points of leaders Liverpool.
In fact, Chelsea will be top by the time Liverpool next play if they beat Everton next weekend, with the leaders travelling to Tottenham hours later.
They are now four points ahead of third-placed Arsenal and seven points better off than defending champions Manchester City, having won their past five league matches as part of a 10-game unbeaten run.
“It’s not about how many games we win. It’s about being realistic,” said Marseca.
“There are things we have to do better. That’s why I said, for me, we are not ready.
“The fans, they can dream and think. But us inside as a club, as a squad, as players, as coaching staff, we need to be realistic.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Moises Caicedo says “the sky’s the limit,” while Bees boss Thomas Frank stressed: “they are right up there in the title race. They’re very good”.
From “billion-pound bottle-jobs” in February to Premier League title winners? Could it really happen?
The Premier League entertainers
Maresca’s men can certainly lay claim to being the Premier League’s entertainers.
The Blues are the league’s top scorers with 37 goals, one more than nearest rivals Tottenham.
They have scored 66 times in 25 games across all competitions this season, already 16 more goals than they managed in their entire 50-match campaign of 2022-23.
Prior to Sunday, Maresca’s side were averaging 2.66 goals per game – the highest in the club’s history.
Even taking into account the relative ease of some of their opponents in the Conference League – that is some turnaround for a club which was often derided last season for their approach to recruitment.
As well as being the league’s most prolific side, Chelsea are leading the way for shot conversion rate among the main four title contenders.
This even after hitting the woodwork more than any other team.
Things could get even better.
Chelsea’s upcoming run of fixtures look incredibly favourable, with four of their next six games coming against teams in the bottom half of the Premier League.
With stats like this it would be unreasonable not to include Chelsea as serious challengers, wouldn’t it?
Palmer continues to shine with Chelsea on ‘upward curve’
Cole Palmer was largely on the periphery when he collected a title-winners medal in 2022-23, with 12 of his 14 appearances for Manchester City coming from the substitute’s bench that term.
But he has been a key player for Chelsea since arriving at the club in September 2023, with his form establishing him in the England squad and now propelling the Blues to within touching distance of top spot.
Arguably the player of the season so far, only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have more Premier League goals than the attacking midfielder this term, while he also has provided the fifth most assists in the division.
Centre forward Nicolas Jackson also has a healthy return of eight goals from 14 appearances, with his goal ratio per 90 minutes improving significantly from 0.35 in 2023-24 to 0.65 in the current campaign.
His shooting accuracy has climbed from 65% to 75%, with Palmer’s close proximity and a wide supply line from the likes of Noni Madueke, Neto and Jadon Sancho all aiding the Senegal international.
But there are also signs that the Blues’ expensively assembled midfield is now flourishing.
Chelsea were largely a source of ridicule for the vast spending of about £1.5bn on young stars from across the world on long-term contracts.
However, that strategy appears to be reaping dividends.
Argentina international Enzo Fernandez is living up to his billing as a British record signing while Romeo Lavia and Caicedo are forming an effective tandem.
Unlike several of the other potential contenders, Maresca also has the luxury of being able to field a virtually different XI depending on what competition his side are playing in, and has been able to fully capitalise on the depth of his squad.
Speaking on TNT Sports former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said: “It is looking great. Maresca so far is manager of the season with what he has had to contend with, with the squad.
“Since last September it has been an upward curve, faultless in Europe.
“The midfield is dominating most games. I still feel there is a way to go but if come January they are within four points of Liverpool, I think they are in a title race and they are closer than that now.”
Former England and Tottenham forward, Peter Crouch added: “Maresca has been fantastic so far, with the way he has got rid of players he didn’t want.
“It felt unmanageable but he created a harmonious atmosphere. They all want to play for the shirt.”
Weaknesses in background?
One thing that may count against Chelsea is their lack of experience when it comes to a title run-in.
The average age of their squad is a youthful 23.9 years of age, significantly lower than Liverpool (26.5), Arsenal (26.8) and reigning champions Manchester City (27.8).
None of their first-team squad have experience of winning the Premier League, even if a handful have won titles overseas.
No team has ever won the Premier League with an average starting XI age of under 25, and only three were under 26.
They were Chelsea in 2004-05, Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95 and Manchester United in 1995-96.
There also may be defensive deficiencies to solve, with their expected goals against the 10th highest in the Premier League.
That suggests that they have at times been fortunate not to be heavily punished for the chances they have conceded and, even in Sunday’s win, the Bees were guilty of spurning two gilt-edged opportunities to add to the goal that Bryan Mbeumo scored.
While Maresca praised his side’s overall defensive record, it was also clear that was in his thinking when asked about his side’s prospects for the future.
“I think those other teams know how to compete to win titles, they won’t concede the goals we concede, like the one today,” he added.