Many were shocked when **Chelsea**ended their last Premier League title win in the 2016 17 season. They got off to a bad start during that season. Liverpool beat them and drew Swansea, then went down 3-0 to Arsenal at halftime after losing to Liverpool and drawing Swansea.
Antonio Conte knew change was needed. With a back three, he switched, and the team was transformed. It finished at 0-0 in the second half, but it was the start of a hugely remarkable turnaround.
Then, Chelsea registered a fantastic 13 straight league wins. The arrival of a strong midfield duo of N’Golo Kanté and Nemanja Matić made life hard for the opponents, although as Spain will attest, opponents are not discouraged by a string of victories.
Players like Victor Moses, and Marcos Alonso found freedom. As wingbacks because they had no European commitments to carry the load. Others like Manchester City got used to new managers, whilst Arsenal drifted under Arsène Wenger. Chelsea sealed their season tally with 93 points in the Premier League, dominating.
Fast forward eight years and Chelsea finds itself in a position very similar to the one it found itself in eight years ago. Raheem Sterling created controversy at the start of this season. After he publicly protested against being left out of the starting team before a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
That loss opened the floodgates of criticism aimed at Klopp. Yet Enzo Maresca has been the team’s stabilizing factor. His way of managing has given him life and clarity. Chelsea’s lack of European football has allowed them to concentrate on domestic competitions despite underwhelming performances last season
Chelsea Surprise Premier League Winners?
Maresca has made shrewd use of a shadow squad doing business in the Conference League — in which players can get used to his way of playing without the sting in the top flight. The strategy has worked as Chelsea snatched a thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the last match. It put them on course for a fourth straight league win which suggested they offer themselves as potential title challengers.
On the back of a Chelsea win for the first time in six matches, the Blues are now just four points behind leaders Liverpool.
In the process, they have become the league’s top scorers with 35 goals this season. Even though they have played one more game than Liverpool, their attacking pedigree makes it seem like they could do the same and further close the gap. It is historically a winning formula for a team to continue to lead at this point in the season but in 2019 things are a little different.
Maresca Doing a fantastic job
It’s just anything that can happen Premier League landscape at the moment. Arsenal, who are contending with injury and inconsistency, and Manchester City, beleaguered by its worst malaise since Pep Guardiola’s arrival, are also suffering losses. If Chelsea’s recent form is anything to go by, they are at a good time for a run going good.
Several factors will determine Chelsea’s fortunes this season. Their first will be to be able to continue form without giving in to pressure. The players are still young, and inexperienced in situations like this: Maresca’s managerial style has instilled confidence in the team.
According to Chelsea, they must also skirt squad depth and injuries. Under current ownership, they have invested in new players, but to no avail in terms of how they can play together as a team. Currently, 24 senior players have been bought for £550m and many have played fewer than three games this season.
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Nevertheless, Chelsea is just a club capable of filling the void and competing for the title this year. It’s also a great time for them to be building momentum. Whoever finishes beside Blues will have a good chance of challenging for the title. As long as they do not pick up more injuries to key players and new signings, like Christopher Nkunku.
But overall, Chelsea’s resurgence in the title race echoes what they’ve previously achieved under Conte. Maresca’s been the perfect man for the job. The whole team has adapted well under him and is showing signs of improvement with each matchday. While they stick to the successes they’ve made in the last while.
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