The worst approach for the London club to answer to their thrashing of the Spanish giants would be to believe the excitement. The issue is that emotions in soccer swing from one extreme to another, as the figures overseeing things at Stamford Bridge have rapidly come to realize.
They have encountered plenty of mockery for their alternative approach since acquiring the club from Roman Abramovich three years ago, so perhaps they are entitled to be a little sceptical now that the team are being applauded for their transfer strategy and hyped as possible championship challengers before welcoming their London rivals on Sunday.
Opposite to common perception, this is not a management that grows swept up readily. The initial turmoil has subsided – Chelsea have had multiple long-term head coaches since their takeover by the current owners and their partners – and the aim of building a long-lasting future-oriented initiative is inconsistent with panicking to one disappointing outcome, one good streak of results or even one resounding victory over the Catalan club in the Europe.
The philosophy has not altered since the outset of the campaign: remain modest. It is valuable remembering that there was plenty of critical commentary from external sources when the Blues suffered defeat to the Red Devils and the Seagulls at the end of September. Was anyone speaking about a title bid then? Or, indeed, after the side blew a 1-0 advantage and lost at Stamford Bridge to the Black Cats last month? The atmosphere was contrasting. Level thinking were essential; the instruction from the top was that Enzo Maresca and his players had to have faith in themselves after the loss by Brighton.
Now, with demanding away fixtures against the Whites and the Cherries to follow next week, the priority is on ensuring the team are not fooled into complacency after that impressive defeat of Barcelona.
Perhaps that calm vibe will help the youngest squad in the Premier League stay level. the coach, measured to a fault in his press dealings, aligns with the plan. The Blues were in a analogous situation this time last year but the head coach consistently maintained they were not in the title contest. He thought it was too premature in their growth. The Italian encountered scrutiny when Chelsea fell away and ended up in a fight for Champions League entry – had he provided the team an excuse? – but he was in his debut year as a English coach. He and his players had to learn and grow.
It is a deliberate strategy. Maresca is not inclined to making brave statements, often remarking he is looking ahead no further than the following fixture. His position has not been altered by the Blues moving up to runner-up after five successes from their last half-dozen fixtures. It will likely not even shift significantly if they defeat Arsenal and narrow their opponents’ gap to several points.
“Whether we win, whether we do not come out on top, I feel it’s too premature,” the coach said on Friday. “We are still in the eleventh month. It’s extremely significant in winter, March, where we are. From there we’ll determine if we can accomplish something meaningful.”
That was about as approximate as it comes to an admission that, certainly, it is possible for the side to disrupt Arsenal. Yet there is no pressure on Maresca to secure the championship this season. The manager has objectives to reach but the leadership will not review his performance until this summer. They have no desire to be compelled into sacking a coach during a campaign again. The Blues want continuity and are only just starting out.
They have arrangements in order to acquire more youngsters in the transfer windows of the future and later. They were scrutinised for transferring Noni Madueke to the Gunners last off-season but did so because transferring an experienced English player had to be completed to make space for the arriving Estêvão Willian.
Estêvão is developing. The teenager attacker was brilliant against the opposition, scoring a breathtaking strike, but the young talent is not expected to begin against their next opponents. His minutes is being prudently managed by the coach. Chelsea had a interrupted summer preparation after making it all the way in last summer’s international competition. Maresca’s frequent rotation is an indication of a boss planning about the future as well as today.
Despite the restraint, though, it is also accurate that the Blues are perfectly equipped of beating Arsenal. the attacker is available after an extended out and prepared to feature. the winger is in fine shape in the final third, and the midfielder and Enzo Fernández will match Arsenal’s engine room power.
Maresca said beating Paris Saint-Germain in that global tournament decider had helped his team’s mindset. He values that they are spreading the scoring around more evenly than the prior campaign, when there was too much dependence on Palmer. A strong bench will also provide him a multitude of ways to test Arsenal’s defensive strength.
Will it be adequate? Perhaps not at this stage. The Blues at times lack a deadly edge and Levi Colwill’s absence with a prolonged {
