It is a pressure cooker, and Chelsea has turned up the heat this weekend, cutting Chelsea’s gap to leaders Liverpool to just four points. Fans have dreams of glory after their remarkable comeback from 3-1 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 in a rollercoaster match. Throw in Arsenal’s stumble at Fulham and Liverpool’s postponed clash with Everton, and suddenly the title race is firing on all cylinders.
Let’s be clear: Chelsea fans aren’t counting chickens (or Blues?). The maestro at Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca, says his side has not yet been ready for the title. Yet, humble Maresca has stats—almost two months unbeaten since October 20 and a run of wins that goes on longer than any in the league. The Blues are roasting, and the roaster’s on fire.
Maresca’s Masterclass: Is Chelsea’s Time Now?
Barrow brought in Enzo Maresca in the summer with huge hopes but little expectation. “Five to ten years,” he said. “That’s when we’ll dominate.” But football doesn’t wait for anyone. If Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City are starting to waver, could Chelsea achieve English dominance in a decade?
Their away form has been nothing short of spectacular: Two more than Liverpool on the road this season, 19 points. That’s right, the Kings of the Road are ahead of the Kings of the Kop. And with a cool attacking move and plenty of choice, Chelsea is now a team people don’t want to play against.
Maresca, however, remains cautious. He tells his players, ‘Focus day to day.’ Don’t contemplate the table. So, wise words—but the fans are already awash with visions of ticker tape parades and title-winning TikToks.
Glenn, Wrighty, and Burn’s Verdicts.
Everyone just can’t stop buzzing about Chelsea’s rise. Never one to be subtle in his praise, Glenn Hoddle thinks the Blues are in the race. “Liverpool might falter. Chelsea just needs a keeper!” Meanwhile, Ian Wright also answers the defense. “Thiago Silva is crucial. ‘They’re our contenders with him and a steady backline.”
Chelsea’s attacking options then come in for praise by Dan Burn, who calls for a settled back four. “I believe last year their defense won them games.” Chelsea can learn from that.”The consensus? Chelsea isn’t perfect, but they’re dangerous.
Fans React: From Despair to Dreaming
Chelsea’s thrilling win at Spurs resulted in social media going into meltdown.
@BluesForever tweeted: “We went from 0-2 to 4-3.’ It’s a Premier League record!’ I am now allowed to mention my blood pressure…
@MarescaMagic chimed in: “He believes in miracles even more than I do.” It’s about time someone wrapped Thiago Silva in bubble wrap, though.”
@NeutralFan123 added: “It’s terrifying that Chelsea have one of the best away forms. They are Liverpool fans; someone is checking in on them—they’re sweating…
Football is an in-brace-of-ups-and-downs type of thing, and Chelsea’s rollercoaster season has fans swinging from euphoria to mild cardiac episodes.
I don’t know why before now nobody is tipping Chelsea as title contender.
But as it is, they're Liverpool's biggest threat & not even Arsenal or City.
The way they play, believe & execution even when losing is great. pic.twitter.com/S1GzqMV3fh
— Temitope Ayanbisi (@AyanbisiAT) December 8, 2024
The Road Ahead: Easy Wins or Hidden Traps?
The season could come down to the next five matches. While none of the top four and Manchester City count too many games against top-half sides, Chelsea and Arsenal have to cope with two against each other. Key to this period will be the Blues’ ability to take advantage of it. If they can maintain their away form and improve on their defense, Maresca might believe they are closer to lifting the title than he concedes.
Why Chelsea Could Go All the Way
Chelsea looks like a title contender in all but name despite Maresca’s claims on Italian television last week that they weren’t ready. Now here’s a team with an attacking depth that is unmatched and a formidable form, and their rivals have shown looking a bit vulnerable. Consistency might waver at Liverpool, Arsenal might slip, City… even robots like Haaland have off days.
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