Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Chelsea could be a genuine contender in this season’s Premier League title race.
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Their current form, coupled with an inviting run of fixtures, has sparked optimism among fans and pundits alike.
Chelsea’s Recent Form
The Blues secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez propelled Chelsea to a deserved win, although Jordan Ayew’s late penalty gave them a brief scare.
Enzo Maresca’s side has faced a tough start to the season, playing six of the current top eight teams. However, Chelsea has lost just one of their last 11 league matches since an opening-day defeat to Manchester City.
Petit’s Optimism
Petit, speaking to Premier League Productions, pointed out Chelsea’s resilience against strong opponents and their potential to climb higher in the standings.
“They’ve played all those games so far against top teams, and they are third – only six points behind Liverpool,” Petit noted.
“With a favorable schedule starting in January, and if they continue their current form until Christmas, they will be a big threat in the title race.”
Praise for Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca also lauded the performance of Enzo Fernandez, who netted the second goal against Leicester. Maresca emphasized the importance of Fernandez’s adaptability and attacking contributions.
“Enzo did really well today. The reason he scored was because he was in the box; if he was outside, he wouldn’t have scored,” Maresca said.
Maresca is instilling the same attacking mindset in Fernandez that he applied to players like Wilfred Ndidi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall last season, urging midfielders to push into the box and create scoring opportunities.
Upcoming Challenges
Chelsea faces Heidenheim in the Conference League before hosting Aston Villa in what promises to be a challenging Premier League fixture.
With improving defense, a dynamic attacking lineup, and favorable fixtures ahead, Chelsea might just surprise the league this season.
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