It seems like everyone at Chelsea – a large percentage of the fanbase included – are in denial about the club being in this year’s title race.
Only one season removed from a difficult season, albeit one that ended well, and two removed from an annus horribilis in Clearlake’s first year of stewardship, Chelsea are suddenly clicking like their teams of old and are very much in contention at the top of the league.
This Blues team’s attractive style of play – evoking memories of the 1960s and 70s teams that included Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke – has seen Chelsea accumulate their highest average goals per game this late into a campaign in its history.
In spite of a leaky defence, the free-scoring nature of the team has seen the club cruise up behind Liverpool, and with a run of fixtures that sees Chelsea not face a top five team until a trip to Manchester City in late January, it is conceivable they could be heading the table by then.
Other than Cole Palmer – who evokes Cooke himself with his attacking flair – one of the principal players responsible for this run has been Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international, whose rambunctious style of play in central midfield has been instrumental in controlling games, can pivot into attack at a moment’s notice and effectively shields the defence from conceding even more chances than it already does.
His all-action displays have helped bring out improved performances in the players around him – notably Fernandez and Romeo Lavia – but it is Caicedo himself who has entered world-class status, if you ask pretty much any Chelsea supporter.
Ross Mooring is associated with Chelsea Fancast
