Chelsea have started the season in much better shape than their previous two campaigns. However, the first true test of their Premier League title credentials will be the clash with Liverpool on 20 October.
After three wins in a row in the Premier League put them in fourth place, two points off the top of the table Chelsea will begin to think they could be legitimate title contenders.
However, they still have defensive problems which need addressing, and the Blues were beaten 2-0 in their only previous clash with a title contender this season.
After a Europa Conference League clash with Gent on 3 October and a Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest three days later, Chelsea will return from the mid-October international break with a mouth-watering clash – a visit to Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League and Chelsea could overtake them if they win this fixture, but this is far from the only reason why this game is important for Enzo Maresca’s men.
Beyond that, it is an opportunity for Chelsea to prove beyond doubt that they are capable of not only putting lesser sides to the sword but also going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the Premier League and Europe since the ultimate goal is to return to and compete for the UEFA Champions League.
Six games into their Premier League campaign, Chelsea have scored more goals (15) than any other team in the league, but they have also been leaky at the back – conceding seven times including twice in the 6-2 win over Wolves and the 4-2 win over Brighton.
By contrast, Liverpool have the most stubborn defence in the Premier League, having conceded only twice all season to date.
Luis Díaz, Mo Salah and Diogo Jota are capable of pouncing on any defensive mix-up from Chelsea, which was in abundance in the win over Brighton. It took Cole Palmer becoming the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a game to spare the Blues’ blushes.
The in-form Palmer, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson are all capable of hurting Liverpool’s stubborn defence, but they will not have an easy ride when they visit the Reds.
Robert Sánchez has not appeared assured between the sticks for Chelsea even as their form has taken a turn for the better, so a big performance at Anfield would go a long way towards securing his status as the number-one goalkeeper in a squad which has them in abundance.
In order to remain financially stable after a massive outlay of players, Chelsea has to compete with the best teams in the league. This is a golden opportunity to prove they truly can.
