Every season brings fresh stories, rivalries, and a fair share of unexpected twists in the ever-competitive world of the Premier League. One of the most widely discussed issues so far this season is that of Chelsea’s phenomenal progression under the guidance of Enzo Maresca. To say the least, Chelsea has been sensational as they’ve won six consecutive games while mounting pressure on league leader Liverpool as the gap narrows down to four points. Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who will be leading his team into a high-pressure London derby against Chelsea this Sunday, believes that his opponents are the best team in the Premier League currently.
Thomas Frank on Chelsea:
“They are favourites. They are maybe the best team in the Premier League right now. They are maybe even more in-form than Liverpool, even though they are top of the league. They are playing incredible and are well-coached. Maresca has done a top job." pic.twitter.com/c0oB9N3FlH
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) December 14, 2024
Chelsea is on fire!
When a man like Thomas Frank, watching his team play so fantastically in his own right, opines that Chelsea is “maybe the best team in the Premier League right now,” take notice. Frank is very apt. Chelsea have been on a roll, and their game has been some of the most attractive football seen in many years. The chemistry between players is excellent; the understanding of tactical moves by Maresca is fine-tuned, and the quality is quite superb.
The deadliest striking options have been among the main reasons why Chelsea has risen this season. With players like Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, not forgetting that ever-present danger that comes with Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea’s offense looks as deadly as they come. Add that in with the solid defensive work and stability provided by players like Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill, and Frank has all the reasons to be going gaga over Chelsea.
Tactical Maresca, the former Juventus defender, has seen Chelsea transform into a well-oiled machine. This comes from work on the training ground into how players press, pass, and finish. That football is light-years away from the chaotic games seen in previous seasons. The form that Chelsea is in is arguably even better than that of Liverpool, who are leaders in the league. That is how good the Blues have been.
The Chelsea Challenge for Brentford:
It does not get tougher than this for Brentford, but do not count them out yet. The Bees have proved their capability on several occasions to go head to head with the best in class, and after all that happened against Newcastle recently, they must feel like a new team altogether. Now, it’s just the key to withstanding the storm early on. Chelsea tends to start well and carry the game forward strongly, so Brentford will have to play defensively with grit and discipline to make it difficult for Chelsea to break them down.
Brentford received good news on the injury front: Kristoffer Ajer and Vitaly Janelt are ready to play. Ajer, who has been out for six weeks because of a foot injury, played his first game last week as a substitute. Janelt, who missed the Newcastle win, will also be back in the squad. Still, Mathias Jensen and Gustavo Nunes are still out injured.
What to Expect from the Match:
If you are a football aficionado, you’ll see that the London derby will never run out of dramatics and promises no exemption. Chelsea, on top of being favorites, could have the better part in holding possession and creating opportunities; still, Brentford’s pace of play and physicality will do their best to make it confusing. It could be an uphill battle between Chelsea’s flowing attacks and Brentford’s stamina. This has all the ingredients for a classical piece for the neutral fan.
Fans’ Reaction:
As always, fans never have any qualms in giving their opinions, and these days, especially on social media. Chelsea fans are literally on cloud nine, with most saying that this is their best team in years. “I haven’t seen this Chelsea play with this much freedom since the days of Hazard and Costa!” tweeted one elated fan. But on the other hand, the fans of Brentford hold as much hope as a person can for their team to flip the odds for them. Let’s face the Blues!
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