Chelsea are second in the league, but you wouldn’t know it.
I think even the most optimistic of Blues fans would’ve had to do a double take as they gawped at the Premier League table this morning.
Enzo Maresca’s side sit on 23 points, six behind leaders Arsenal, recording seven wins, two draws and three losses from the opening 12 fixtures. A plentiful return, one would think.
Yet, the atmosphere around the club is still dubious.
Why?
The squad certainly has the ability. Wherever you stand on the Moises Caicedo versus Declan Rice debate, you cannot help but admire the Ecuadorian. There is no doubt that he is the leading defensive midfielder in the league at present, if not the world. Adding goals to his game has definitely awakened those not in the know to his talents.
Joao Pedro, despite being frustrating to many a Fantasy Football owner, has demonstrated he can be a capable deputy for the injured Cole Palmer, as well as accompany him on his return. Seven goal contributions in 12 appearances is nothing to be sniffed at.
Elsewhere, with Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, and Marc Cucurella all performing to a greater standard than a lot of others in their position, why aren’t Chelsea considered genuine title contenders?
Well, to call Chelsea enigmatic would be an understatement; their 2-0 win over Burnley encapsulated that.
For the first half hour, the Blues were toothless; the highlights package would’ve been fairly barren to that point. Their only shot was a harmless Liam Delap long-range effort, which if the crowd hadn’t been watching could’ve induced head trauma.
But this is a different Chelsea than in season’s past.
Whereas previously their inconsequential forays forward would have persevered, more than likely resulting in conceding a sloppy 1-0 defeat, this season they’ve shown quality in front of goal, even if fleetingly.
Jamie Gittens’ cross met by a stooping Neto was an isolated incident of excellence within a half of relative mediocrity.
While there was clear class deficit between the two sides, Chelsea’s ineffectiveness in attack was apparent. Even before Fernandez’s late strike there was little to write home about.
Maresca won’t care though. It’s another three points and a third consecutive clean sheet in the league. In fact, he’ll probably revel under the guise of being underdogs; a surprising label considering their squad’s acclaim.
After all, it only takes one goal to win a football match, regardless of any other chances.
However, no one doubts that Chelsea have the talent to beat every team in the league. For the most part, it isn’t the results that raise the questions but the flow of matches.
A lack of dominance hampers the Blues’ winning air; a habit past champions have possessed. The win against Liverpool becomes marred by losses to Brighton, Sunderland and Manchester United so people forget what they can achieve. When a team arrives at Stamford Bridge there isn’t the same fear factor as The Emirates.
Arsenal, now unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions following their victory in the North London derby, have an ethos and identity: you shall not pass. Conceding only six goals and not allowing a single shot on target against them in October can only dent a team’s confidence.
With the gap in performances between the Gunners and the rest of the league being as large as it is, the idea of anyone challenging can be considered futile.
But if anyone is to compete, is it Enzo Maresca and his team?
Yes, Chelsea aren’t setting the world alight, but then again, neither is anyone else in the chasing pack. Man City look inconsistent, Liverpool look shaky, and with all respect to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, I don’t expect them to challenge for the title.
Will they win the title? More than likely, no. But to say that they have no chance, any less than Manchester City at least, would be somewhat naïve.
Who knows, next weekend they could have beaten Arsenal and all of a sudden the deficit is halved.
They’re the Club World Cup champions after all. Can’t argue with that.
Paul Edwards
Paul, often known as Eddie, is the cricket editor for the Sports Gazette, as well as a keen football enjoyer. As a sports freak, he can often be found ranting about how his lookalike, Lewis Hall, should be in the England squad or how Rehan Ahmed is criminally overrated. Paul publishes his projects onto Substack (@pauledwards123) as well as writing for Hampton and Richmond Borough FC. His passion for sport is palpable and he is excited for the opportunity to write about the ups and downs of high level sport. Contact him via [email protected].
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