The least productive manner for Chelsea to react to their thrashing of Barça would be to buy into the buzz. The problem is that emotions in football fluctuate from one end to another, as the individuals overseeing things at Stamford Bridge have swiftly come to realize.
They have faced plenty of ridicule for their alternative method since taking over the team from Roman Abramovich three years ago, so possibly they are entitled to be a little wary now that the Blues are being commended for their recruitment plan and talked up as prospective league challengers before hosting their London rivals on Sunday.
In contrast to common view, this is not a leadership that gets carried away quickly. The initial disorder has calmed – the club have had multiple permanent head coaches since their acquisition by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital – and the aim of constructing a long-lasting forward-looking project is at odds with overresponding to one disappointing performance, one decent streak of form or even one resounding triumph over Barça in the Europe.
The philosophy has not changed since the outset of the season: stay modest. It is important remembering that there was plenty of negative noise from outside when the Blues lost to Manchester United and the Seagulls at the end of September. Was anyone talking about a championship challenge then? Or, in fact, after the side let slip a 1-0 cushion and lost at home to the Black Cats last month? The mood was different. Cool minds were required; the message from on high was that the head coach and his squad had to trust themselves after the loss by Brighton.
Now, with tough away matches against Leeds and the Cherries to follow next week, the focus is on ensuring the Blues are not fooled into complacency after that impressive beating of Barça.
Perhaps that calm feel will help the youngest team in the Premier League keep even-keeled. Maresca, measured to a extreme in his press engagements, aligns with the plan. The team were in a comparable place this time last year but the manager consistently stated they were not in the championship hunt. He believed it was too early in their evolution. The Italian encountered criticism when the side declined and finished in a battle for Champions League entry – had he offered the players an out? – but he was in his debut season as a top-flight manager. He and his players had to make mistakes and develop.
It is a intentional tactic. The head coach is not prone to making bold declarations, often stating he is focusing no beyond than the upcoming game. His attitude has not been altered by the Blues rising to second after several victories from their last multiple matches. It will probably not even alter radically if they beat the Gunners and narrow their rivals’ gap to three points.
“Whether we win, whether we fail to come out on top, I feel it’s too soon,” the Italian said on Friday. “We are still in the eleventh month. It’s extremely crucial in the second month, March, where we are. From there we’ll determine if we can achieve something significant.”
That was about as close as it comes to an acknowledgment that, certainly, it is possible for the side to upset Arsenal. Yet there is no expectation on the manager to claim the league this season. The 45-year-old has targets to achieve but Chelsea will not assess his contributions until this summer. They have zero wish to be forced into sacking a coach during a campaign again. The club seek consistency and are only just beginning their journey.
They have arrangements in position to acquire more youth in the off-seasons of the future and later. They were criticised for selling Noni Madueke to the Gunners last window but did so because moving an established top-flight talent had to be executed to create room for the new the Brazilian.
Estêvão is progressing. The teenager attacker was brilliant against Barcelona, finding the back of the net with a breathtaking finish, but the young prodigy is doubtful to begin against their next opponents. His workload is being prudently overseen by Maresca. The club had a affected pre-season after making it all the way in last season’s international competition. The manager’s extensive changes is evidence of a boss thinking about tomorrow as well as short-term.
Despite the caution, though, it is also true that the team are completely equipped of overcoming Arsenal. Cole Palmer is returned after two months lay-off and prepared to start. the winger is in fine form in the final third, and the enforcer and Enzo Fernández will compete with their opponents’ midfield strength.
The manager said defeating PSG in that global tournament showpiece had aided his side’s mindset. He values that they are spreading the goals around more evenly than the previous campaign, when there was too much leaning on the attacker. A strong substitutes will also provide him a multitude of options to challenge their rivals’ defensive might.
Can it be enough? Perhaps not at this stage. The side occasionally are missing a ruthless touch and Levi Colwill’s injury with a long-term {
