The most damaging approach for Chelsea to react to their dominant victory of Barça would be to believe the excitement. The issue is that sentiments in soccer shift from one end to another, as the figures running things at Chelsea have rapidly come to appreciate.
They have endured plenty of ridicule for their different approach since buying the team from their former proprietor three years ago, so perhaps they are entitled to be a little wary now that the Blues are being praised for their player acquisition plan and hyped as potential league competitors before facing Arsenal on Sunday.
Opposite to public opinion, this is not a board that gets carried away readily. The starting chaos has settled – Chelsea have had several long-term managers since their takeover by the current owners and the investment group – and the goal of building a long-lasting long‑term plan is inconsistent with overresponding to one poor result, one solid run of form or even one thumping victory over Barcelona in the Champions League.
The message has not altered since the start of the season: keep modest. It is valuable remembering that there was plenty of critical commentary from outsiders when the team were defeated to the Red Devils and the Seagulls at the close of September. Was anyone discussing about a championship push then? Or, in fact, after Chelsea let slip a one-goal lead and fell at their own ground to the Championship side last month? The atmosphere was distinct. Level thinking were required; the guidance from leadership was that the manager and his players had to have faith in themselves after the loss by Brighton.
Now, with draining away matches against the Whites and Bournemouth to come next week, the attention is on guaranteeing the team are not lulled into overconfidence after that remarkable beating of Barcelona.
Possibly that unflappable feel will help the youngest side in the English football keep even-keeled. Maresca, calm to a degree in his press dealings, plays into the strategy. The team were in a similar situation this time last year but the head coach frequently insisted they were not in the championship race. He thought it was too premature in their development. Maresca faced scrutiny when Chelsea declined and ended up in a struggle for continental entry – had he provided the players an excuse? – but he was in his first season as a Premier League manager. He and his squad had to make mistakes and progress.
It is a deliberate tactic. Maresca is not given to making brave pronouncements, often saying he is planning no more than the upcoming fixture. His position has not been altered by the team climbing to second after a run of successes from their previous six fixtures. It will probably not even change significantly if they defeat Arsenal and reduce their rivals’ gap to a few points.
“Whether we triumph, whether we fail to prevail, I believe it’s too early,” Maresca said on Friday. “We are still in autumn. It’s extremely significant in the second month, March, where we are. From there we’ll see if we can accomplish something significant.”
That was about as close as it comes to an concession that, indeed, it is achievable for the side to challenge the Gunners. Yet there is no burden on the head coach to secure the title this campaign. The 45-year-old has objectives to reach but Chelsea will not assess his performance until this summer. They have zero wish to be pushed into firing a boss during a campaign again. Chelsea desire continuity and are only just getting going.
They have agreements in position to recruit more youth in the transfer windows of the future and 2027. They were scrutinised for moving on Noni Madueke to Arsenal last off-season but did so because moving an experienced top-flight player had to be executed to make space for the incoming the Brazilian.
The winger is progressing. The teenager forward was outstanding against Barcelona, finding the back of the net with a breathtaking finish, but the Brazilian prodigy is doubtful to start against Arsenal. His minutes is being prudently overseen by the coach. Chelsea had a interrupted warm-up period after making it all the way in last season’s international competition. Maresca’s extensive changes is evidence of a manager thinking about the future as well as today.
Despite the caution, though, it is also correct that Chelsea are absolutely equipped of overcoming their rivals. the attacker is back after a lengthy lay-off and ready to start. the forward is in fine form in the final third, and the enforcer and the midfielder will compete with Arsenal’s centre strength.
Maresca said beating Paris Saint-Germain in that global tournament showpiece had benefited his side’s attitude. He likes that they are spreading the goals around to a greater extent than last term, when there was too much dependence on the star. A talented reserves will also offer him a variety of options to confront Arsenal’s defensive strength.
Can it be adequate? Possibly not at this stage. The Blues at times are missing a ruthless touch and Levi Colwill’s unavailability with a long-term {
