Jamie Carragher shares how Enzo Maresca has actually proven him wrong about Chelsea

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea are certainly one of the Premier League sides that’s caught people most by surprise this season.

There were yet more big changes at Chelsea during the summer, this time with Enzo Maresca arriving at the club to take charge as the new head coach. So far, the Italian manager should be content with how the first few months have gone.

The Blues sit third in the Premier League table after the opening 11 rounds of fixtures, so supporters are now optimistic of a top-four finish this campaign.

Darren Bent has praised Maresca for how he’s managed Chelsea’s squad. Interestingly, he’s been playing two different starting line-ups when it comes to the league and cup competitions.

• READ MORE: Graham Potter really impressed with what Enzo Maresca has done with ‘amazing’ Chelsea player

Jamie Carragher surprised by Enzo Maresca and Chelsea

Jamie Carragher thinks Chelsea boss Maresca has done an excellent job since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer. In fact, he’s admitted that the Blues have proven him wrong so far this season.

Carragher told the Stick to Football podcast: “I think the manager has done a brilliant job and to be honest I have been proven wrong a bit with Chelsea this season, I didn’t see this.

“I thought it would be chopping and changing of players, and there was talk about leaving players out at the start of the season, but you go to a Chelsea game and you almost know what the team is. I thought that would be a problem, having so many players egos and people causing trouble on the training pitch, but that doesn’t seem to have happened, so fair play to the manager.”

Similarly, Paul Scholes admits he got it wrong about Maresca and Chelsea because he feels they look like a well-coached team.

The rate that the Blues go through managers means they’re bound to find the right fit sooner or later. It’s still very much early days of the Maresca reign, but he’s passing every test with flying colours so far to suggest he could be a long-term answer.

Will Chelsea capitalise on solid foundation?

There’s definitely reason to be optimistic and happy about Chelsea’s season to date. However, now is the time to put the foot down and make the most of a decent start.

Remarkably, there’s only a four-point gap between Chelsea in third and 13th-placed Manchester United. Therefore, things could unravel very quickly if the Blues start slowly after the international break.

Here is a look at the upcoming league fixtures for Maresca’s side:

On paper, Chelsea’s league run up until Christmas does look like a kind one and a great chance to consolidate a position in the top four.

Pat Nevin said Chelsea went toe to toe with a full strength Arsenal during last weekend’s 1-1 league draw. If they can take confidence from that, they should be able to put together a significant run in the next month against lesser opposition.