Enzo Maresca remains cautious. Despite Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Brentford taking them to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, the manager insists his side “are not ready” to compete for the title. But with seven consecutive wins in all competitions, and a favourable fixture list on the horizon, is it time to take Chelsea’s challenge seriously?

Few could have predicted Chelsea’s transformation. The 2022-23 season was marred by inconsistent form, a managerial merry-go-round, and underwhelming performances despite a £1.5 billion transfer splurge. Fast forward to December 2024, and Maresca has crafted a team not just capable of winning games but doing so with style and authority.

Chelsea are now the Premier League’s top scorers with 37 goals, surpassing even Tottenham. They have netted 66 times across all competitions this season, a dramatic improvement on the 50 goals scored in the entirety of last year.

Their current shot conversion rate ranks the highest among the top contenders, and their efficiency in front of goal suggests that Chelsea have evolved into genuine “Premier League entertainers.”

Key to Chelsea’s rise has been Cole Palmer. A peripheral figure during his time at Manchester City, Palmer has emerged as one of the stars of the season, delivering goals, assists, and match-winning performances. Only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have scored more Premier League goals, while his creativity has lifted the Blues’ attack.

Supporting Palmer is Nicolas Jackson, whose goal-per-90-minute ratio has significantly improved, thanks to an enhanced supply line from wide players like Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho. At the same time, Chelsea’s expensively assembled midfield is finally showing its worth.

Enzo Fernandez is beginning to justify his record-breaking price tag, while Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are forming a formidable partnership. Maresca’s rotation policy has also paid dividends; with squad depth that rivals any in the league, Chelsea can seamlessly adapt to domestic and European demands.

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes Maresca’s impact cannot be overstated: “He has been faultless in Europe and has managed to dominate games with a young midfield. If they’re still close to Liverpool in January, they’re in this race.”

Peter Crouch echoed the sentiment, praising Maresca for stabilising a previously chaotic squad: “He’s created a harmonious atmosphere and built a team that plays for the badge.”

However, Maresca’s assertion that “we are not ready” is not without basis. Chelsea’s youthful squad, averaging just 23.9 years of age, lacks title-winning experience. History offers little encouragement — no Premier League team has won the title with an average starting XI under 25.

Defensive frailties also remain a concern. Chelsea’s expected goals against rank 10th in the league, indicating they have been fortunate not to concede more. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo exposed some of those vulnerabilities on Sunday, with the Bees squandering several chances to punish Chelsea further.

Despite their flaws, Chelsea’s immediate future looks bright. Four of their next six league fixtures are against bottom-half opposition, offering a golden opportunity to build momentum and apply pressure on Liverpool.

Maresca’s pragmatism may temper expectations, but his side’s form speaks for itself. Chelsea are playing confident, attacking football, and if they continue this trajectory, the title race could come down to their ability to navigate the inevitable tests ahead.

For now, Maresca may urge caution, but for the fans singing at Stamford Bridge, dreaming of silverware no longer feels far-fetched. Chelsea might not be ready – but they’re closer than ever.