Pat Nevin shares what he’s just seen at Chelsea that really impressed him

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Now that the November international break is here, Chelsea can reflect on what’s been an encouraging 2024/25 season so far from them.

Chelsea sit third in the Premier League table right now after 11 gameweeks, which is a sign that this young group is moving in the right direction.

Enzo Maresca’s side wrapped up before the break with a 1-1 draw at home to rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Ben Foster still thinks Chelsea can improve against the big clubs because they’re winless in league matches with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United this season. However, the Blues are definitely now starting to hold their own against these elite opponents more regularly.

• READ MORE: Darren Bent praises one thing Enzo Maresca is doing at Chelsea to keep morale high

Pat Nevin credits maturing Chelsea

BBC pundit Pat Nevin was super impressed by the way Chelsea went toe to toe with a full-strength Arsenal team at the weekend.

He suggests that Maresca’s young side are definitely maturing and moving in the right direction.

Nevin wrote in his BBC Football Extra email newsletter (12 November): “And speaking of Palmer, he and his Chelsea colleagues are growing up very quickly, even if they are not yet totally mature. The naivety for the ‘goal’ that Kai Havertz scored, but was then ruled offside, showed there are a few things to be learned.

“Against Arsenal, the outfield had an average age of 22.5 years of age but they still stood toe to toe with last year’s runners-up, this is good news down at the Bridge.

“Developing maturity while not losing the spark of creativity and excitement that youth brings is a subtle job but Enzo Maresca seems to be all over it.”

Chelsea young guns leading the way

The current Chelsea squad is extremely young and exciting, which is why the supporters are right behind them right now.

Here is a look at the five players to start every league game so far this season for Maresca’s side

• Robert Sanchez – Aged 26
• Levi Colwill – Aged 21
• Moises Caicedo – Aged 23
• Cole Palmer – Aged 22
• Nicolas Jackson – Aged 23

It’s exciting to see there’s academy graduates being pushed into the first-team squad, too. For example, Tyrique George is beginning to get some minutes this season. Maresca raved about Chelsea winger George after his Conference League display this month.

The Chelsea fanbase recognise there may be inconsistency and bumps in the road by persisting with such a young group, but the long-term reward may be spectacular if everything clicks into gear.