Chelsea have put themselves in a good position to make the 2024/25 season a successful one by all accounts.
Having finished sixth and not winning a trophy last season, the Blues currently sit in the top four and remain in the FA Cup.
They ended the group stages of the European campaign with a 100% winning record, despite never really getting out of second gear and rotating heavily in the Conference League.
Enzo Maresca has largely been seen as a successful appointment by Chelsea, and has rarely looked out of his place in his first job in Premier League management.
An underwhelming January transfer window has just closed, and The Chelsea Chronicle have made five mixed predictions for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
Enzo Maresca snaps
Maresca frequently cuts a stressed out figure on the sidelines. His frantic gestures and loud instructions are common as he still looks to get his plan across to his players.
In the more relaxed environment of a press conference, it has been common for the same questions to be asked over and over again of the manager, to which he is forced to regurgitate the same response.
A few months ago, it was asking if Chelsea were in a title race – a theory the manager bluntly denied – and his view on the situation has been proven right since.
This line of questioning can get on the nerves of any manager, and it feels as if it is only a matter of time before Maresca bites back in the press room.
Reece James stays fit
Club captain Reece James has unfortunately endured more of the same when it comes to his injury record this season.
The England international has missed 11 Premier League games this season with a hamstring injury, however has started the last three league games in succession.
It is clear the Blues are desperate to keep him fit. James has been asked to do far less in attack and at times has inverted into the back three.
If this continues, there is hope he can return to full fitness and begin to show signs of one of the best full-backs in the world again.
Chelsea miss out on the top four
After many put them in title race conversations, a poor run of form temporarily saw the Blues drop to as low as sixth in the Premier League.
The rise of the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth as genuine contenders for these places has made life difficult for the Blues to secure a place in the coveted positions this season.
Qualifying for the Champions League feels imperative for supporters to keep faith in Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s project which is playing out at Stamford Bridge.
There is a real chance Chelsea miss out on the top four, however the likelihood the Premier League is handed another European place could well see the top five play amongst Europe’s elite next season.
Pedro Neto comes into his own
Pedro Neto’s first season at Stamford Bridge has shown only glimpses of why the Blues spent £54m on him over the summer.
He has mostly been competing with Noni Madueke for a place on the right of attack, and was brought on for him in the win over West Ham on Monday.
It was Neto’s goal and direct performance which turned the game around for the Blues, and the attributes he showed in that cameo are often exactly what Maresca has been missing in attack.
Expect the former Wolves man to find himself starting far more games in the second half of the season as the Blues look to maintain their place in the top four.
Chelsea win the Conference League
Chelsea’s best chance at winning a trophy this season is no doubt the Conference League, a competition they have dominated in since it began.
The Blues didn’t even name Cole Palmer in their squad for the first stage of the competition, and still boast a 100% record so far.
Games are set to return in this competition in march, and while it will not be the most prestigious honour Chelsea have ever competed for, there will be a pressure to deliver a trophy is there for the new owners.
A decision is yet to be made at the time of writing as to who will be named in the squad for the knockout stages of the competition, however we are expecting Wesley Fofana to miss the cut.
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