With the 2024/25 season reaching the halfway point, Chelsea have endured a successful start to the Enzo Maresca reign, picking up from where they left off at the backend of the previous campaign under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, which saw them win seven of their final ten matches.
The West Londoners currently occupy 4th position in the Premier League on 36 points, but a recent drop in form, which has seen the Blues pick up just two points from a possible twelve, means Maresca's side will need to get back to winning ways fast if they are to secure a top four spot for the first time in three seasons.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Chelsea have looked impressive in the UEFA Conference League by picking up six wins from six in the 'league phase' of the competition thus qualifying for the round-of-16, and look firm favourites to lift the trophy at the end of May.
On the domestic cups front, the Blues suffered an early exit in the Carabao Cup to Newcastle though Chelsea still have the FA Cup up for grabs, with Maresca hoping to lead his side to Wembley, starting their campaign in the third round at home to EFL League Two side Morecambe this Saturday.
The two-time Champions League winners are certainly making steady progress, with the youngest squad in the league looking like they are finally starting to gel as a team.
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Player of the Season so far: Cole Palmer
Of course, there only had to be one man. Following a brilliant debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, starman Cole Palmer is continuing to impress and is now being regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League
Last season, Palmer joined the Blues from Manchester City in August 2023 for £40m, a fee which has proven to be a bargain almost 18 months on. The attacking midfielder would go on to score 22 goals and pick up 11 assists in 34 league matches as well as winning the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
Many were left wondering whether or not Palmer would be able to replicate the form he showed in his first season at the club. However, the 22-year-old has silenced his critics and looks on track to match or even beat last season's tally. After 20 games played, he has 19 goal contributions to his name and has scored plenty of memorable goals.
Palmer's first of the season came away at Molineux against Wolverhampton, where he scored a delightful looping volley over the hapless Jose Sa, a goal which was awarded the Premier League Goal of the Month award for August.
However, it was in September where the England international looked at his very best as he won the league's Player of the Month award, scoring five goals. Impressively, Palmer looked unstoppable in Chelsea's 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, with the attacking midfielder scoring all four in a ruthless first half.
Blues supporters certainly adore their star player and have drawn up comparison to some former Chelsea stars including the likes of Eden Hazard and Gianfranco Zola.
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Most improved player: Moises Caicedo
Since the arrival of Enzo Maresca, multiple players have made a huge improvement in comparison to the previous season. In particular, Nicolas Jackson has become a lot more potent in front of goal whilst Enzo Fernandez is finally starting to prove his worth in midfield.
However, one player that has stood out the most is midfielder Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian moved to Stamford Bridge last summer for an eyewatering £115m, a British record fee.
The midfielder made his Chelsea debut away at West Ham, coming off just after the hour mark, but it proved to be one to forget. With the Blues trailing 2-1, Caicedo struggled and gave away a costly penalty, as the West Londoners fell to a disappointing 3-1 loss.
Though, since then, the Ecuador international gradually improved and, on the final day of last season, scored his first Chelsea goal against Bournemouth with a brilliant effort from the halfway line.
However, under Maresca this season, Caicedo has transformed into one of the league's best defensive midfielders and is proving to be worth every penny. So far, he has been everywhere in the middle of the park for Chelsea, with 1,215 passes (7th highest in the league) and 1,504 touches (6th highest).
The Ecuadorian has also made the second most tackles across the division with 62, joint with Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui. Only Daniel Munoz of Crystal Palace has more with 71. Meanwhile, going forward, Caicedo has four goal contributions, one better than what he managed last season.
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Signing of the Season: Jadon Sancho
Despite only being a loan signing, winger Jadon Sancho has hit the ground running in West London and has very much become a fan favourite amongst supporters. Having struggled for minutes at Manchester United, Sancho has been able to showcase his talent at Chelsea that was most notable from his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The winger made an instant impact on debut for the West Londoners, coming on at half-time at Bournemouth in place of Pedro Neto. Sancho looked sharp and would go onto provide the game winning assist to Christopher Nkunku.
Sancho provided an assist apiece in the next two matches against West Ham and Brighton as he continued to impress. The Englishman also featured in the Conference League against FC Heidenheim in which he bagged two assists in a 2-0 victory.
At the start of December, the winger scored his first goal for the club in the 5-1 demolition of Southampton before scoring again just days later away at Tottenham. His goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the first of four scored by Chelsea, as they came from 2-0 behind to win.
The Blues have an obligation to buy in the loan deal for Sancho in the region of £20m, which will be triggered should the club finish within the top 14 at the end of the season. Regardless of what happens, you would expect the 24-year-old to be plying his trade for Chelsea next season.
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What to expect for the rest of the season?
Chelsea's recent slump in form has certainly been a cause for concern after such a positive start. Although there has been talk of the West Londoners being in the title race, that talk has very much simmered down with the Blues now ten points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
However, the main aim for Enzo Maresca now is a top four finish and a place in the UEFA Champions League. With the Festive period now over and a ten day break between the Crystal Palace game and the Bournemouth game, you would expect Chelsea to get back on track.
The Blues have a good run of fixtures between now and the middle of March, with away matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa proving to be the toughest tests on paper. Matches against the 'big six' will be pivotal to determine if Chelsea can make the top four or not.
The West Londoners also have the UEFA Conference League to contend with at the start of March, which Maresca has used as an opportunity to rotate. However, should the Blues progress to the latter stages of the competition, you would expect likes of Palmer, Jackson and Caicedo to feature.
The Conference League is certainly a trophy Chelsea will fancy their chances of winning and provides a great opportunity for Maresca to secure silverware in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the FA Cup is another tournament that the Blues will be looking to go deep in. Last season, Maresca guided Leicester City to the quarter-finals of the cup before being knocked out at the hands of his current employers.
Chelsea are looking good under Maresca, with finishing in the top four being the main aim this season. Should that happen, along with winning a trophy, the Conference League or FA Cup, then the West Londoners will certainly be making excellent progress going forward.
