Chelsea secured second place within the 2024-25 Premier League after a dramatic 3-4 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Matchday 15. Following the thrilling away win, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca mentioned his crew’s prospects of competing for the league title in opposition to heavyweights Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, and Liverpool.
Introduced in to switch Mauricio Pochettino after guiding Leicester Metropolis to promotion within the 2023-24 season, Maresca’s appointment has already begun to pay dividends. Below his management, the Blues have proven spectacular type, with a youthful squad presently sitting above each Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis within the desk.
Regardless of the optimistic outcomes, Maresca remained cautious about Chelsea’s title credentials. “Most likely Arsenal, Metropolis, and Liverpool they don’t slide like (Marc) Cucurella did, proper? We’re critical, for me we aren’t prepared. We’re removed from these groups, however we’re centered within the day-by-day, enhance gamers, enhance the crew and play the sport. Not more than that,” the coach mentioned to Sky Sports activities.
The coach referred to Cucurella’s errors through the match—two slips that straight led to Spurs objectives—for example of Chelsea’s present lack of maturity. Fairly than putting blame on the Spanish defender, Maresca used the incidents to underscore the truth that Chelsea, regardless of their promising expertise, nonetheless have some approach to go earlier than they will persistently problem the Premier League’s high sides.
This isn’t the primary time Maresca has been requested about Chelsea’s title probabilities. In his pre-match press convention on November 29, forward of the Aston Villa sport, he provided an analogous evaluation: “No (we’re not within the title race). I’ve mentioned it many occasions. I actually benefit from the stress, and I wish to say we’re in it, however we’re not there but. Arsenal, Metropolis, and Liverpool are forward of us. What’s vital is that we hold enhancing, sport by sport.”
Regardless of Maresca’s cautious outlook, Chelsea have delivered robust leads to current weeks, together with a 1-1 draw in opposition to Arsenal, a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, and the dramatic 3-4 victory over Spurs. With 5 wins and a pair of attracts of their final 7 Premier League matches, the Blues have closed the hole on league leaders Liverpool to simply 4 factors. If Maresca and his crew can preserve this momentum, they might stay in rivalry for a high end because the season progresses.
Chelsea gamers in a fantastic second
Chelsea could have one of many youngest squads in England, however that hasn’t stopped them from competing on the high of the Premier League. A number of key gamers have stepped up, making the Blues essentially the most prolific crew within the league with 35 objectives.
One standout performer has been Cole Palmer, who has carried his spectacular type from final season into the present marketing campaign. Palmer is second within the Premier League for aim contributions, with 17 (11 objectives and 6 assists), trailing solely Mohamed Salah. Notably, with two penalty kicks transformed in opposition to Spurs, Palmer has set a brand new Premier League report for essentially the most profitable penalties with out a miss (12/12), surpassing Yaya Toure’s earlier report.
One other participant making a big impression is Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine, who additionally serves as Chelsea’s captain, has been in glorious type just lately. Over his final six appearances for the membership throughout all competitions, Fernandez has contributed on to 9 objectives, with 6 assists and three objectives. His all-around performances have been essential to Chelsea’s momentum.
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