Chelsea are about to take on Everton at Goodison Park, knowing there’s a lot riding on this game.
If the Blues win the game, they go top. At least until Liverpool finish their game against Tottenham later this afternoon. That would be a huge marker of the progress made under Enzo Maresca this season.
Maresca has denied for weeks now that we’re in a title race – but if you’re top at Christmas, your denials start to really look flimsy. On NBC, they discussed Chelsea’s tussle with the Reds at the top of the league, and the amazing progress since August:
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Enzo Maresca sits impassively as Chelsea thrash Southampton.
Enzo Maresca on the touchline in the win over Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by: Crystal Pix/MB Media)
Enzo Maresca shouts instructions on the touchline. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“You talk about two clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. At the start of the season, they had two new managers, neither of whom had managed in the Premier League. I have to say, both have done incredible jobs to be in the position they’re in,” Robbie Earle mused.
“Let’s start with Chelsea – we were at Stamford Bridge for the first day of the season, they lost 2-0 to Man City. But there were quite good things about the way they played. Maresca was very impressive when he talked to us. At that time there were some 40 odd players in the squad, warring owners, no real style of play, a lack of expectancy. I almost felt like Chelsea could be top 4 or bottom 4. I just didn’t know what to expect. The tactical nuance he brings to the game has taken Chelsea to another. If they go top at Christmas, it will be an incredible turnaround for this football club.”
Chelsea can seal superb end to 2024
Liverpool and Chelsea flags. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Liverpool and Chelsea flags. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
There is no doubt that a huge amount of credit should go to Maresca – as Earle says, he has taken this team to the next level. But the improvement of a lot of these players started almost a year ago under Mauricio Pochettino. A win today – and hopefully another on Boxing Day – would be a perfect end to an increasingly superb 2024.