Chelsea’s progress under the guidance of Enzo Maresca has shown encouraging signs, with the club appearing more cohesive as they work through the 2024/25 Premier League season.
By the end of ten games last season (2023/24), Chelsea was positioned 11th on the table, having only accumulated 12 points, highlighting the struggles the team faced.
However, this season has seen improvement; they currently sit in fourth place with 18 points, reflecting a clear upward trajectory. Although they remain a step away from being genuine title contenders — as clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool maintain more well-rounded and established squads — Chelsea’s progress is unmistakable.
Many believe that with patience and support from owner Todd Boehly, Maresca could shape this youthful Chelsea side into title challengers in the future.
Allowing time for these players to gel and grow together could eventually bring them closer to competing at the top, especially if the club can continue developing strong team chemistry and consistency under Maresca’s leadership. However, there are still areas within the squad that require attention, with goalkeeping being a major focus of recent debate.
Football analyst Robbie Savage has voiced concerns about Chelsea’s ability to compete for the title with their current first-choice goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez. Savage contends that Sanchez, while capable, does not meet the standard required for a team with championship ambitions.
Describing him as a “seven out of ten” player, Savage argues that Chelsea would need a more dependable, top-performing goalkeeper if they truly aspire to challenge for the Premier League title.
Savage’s skepticism partly stems from Sanchez’s performances in recent matches, where he has appeared vulnerable. Specific incidents have fueled this critique, including positioning issues that led to mistakes in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool and a penalty he conceded during Chelsea’s recent matchup with Manchester United.
Such errors, Savage argues, highlight an inconsistency that could ultimately hinder Chelsea’s progress in high-stakes games, where stable goalkeeping is crucial.
Chelsea’s decision to acquire Sanchez from Brighton last season came with a significant investment of £25 million. At the time, Sanchez had fallen to third choice in Brighton’s goalkeeper lineup, which raised some eyebrows regarding his long-term potential as Chelsea’s number one.
Despite the club’s sizable investment, it has led to speculation over whether Chelsea should continue relying on Sanchez or pursue other options.
Rather than investing further in a new high-cost goalkeeper, Chelsea might consider utilizing their existing resources to develop a solution internally. With several promising young goalkeepers already within the club’s ranks, fostering these talents could be a prudent alternative to additional spending.
This approach would align with Boehly’s broader vision of nurturing young players, building a strong core for the future, and potentially solidifying the goalkeeping position without adding to the financial outlay.
If Chelsea can successfully develop these prospects and further refine their playing style under Maresca’s leadership, the club’s long-term ambitions could align with the progress seen so far this season.
While there is still some distance to cover before Chelsea can genuinely vie for the title, continued patience, strategic investment in player development, and key adjustments in positions like goalkeeper could eventually push them closer to the top of the Premier League table.
