Major secrets behind Chelsea's sudden improvement in form

 

Chelsea's sudden improvement in form, particularly towards the end of the 2024 -2025 season, can be attributed to several key factors, demonstrating a significant turnaround from their earlier struggles. While Mauricio Pochettino departed as manager, the  tenure of Enzo Maresca laid the groundwork for this positive shift.

Here are the major secrets behind their improved performance:

 * Emergence and Brilliance of Cole Palmer: This is arguably the most significant factor. Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and quickly became their talisman. His consistent goal-scoring (15 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League season) and playmaking (8 assists) were crucial. He was a constant threat, providing creativity and reliability in attack. Many described Chelsea as a "one-man team" at times due to his immense impact.

 * Settling on a Core Group of Players and Formation: After a period of instability and constant squad rotation, Maresca eventually found a more settled starting XI and a tactical system that worked. This allowed players to build chemistry and understanding. While injuries were a persistent issue, a core group including Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, and Sancho started to play consistently together.

 * Improved Attacking Output and Finishing: Chelsea significantly increased their goal tally in the latter half of the 2023-2024 season, more than doubling their Premier League goals compared to the previous campaign. They created more big chances and improved their shot conversion rate. Nicolas Jackson also showed signs of transforming from an inconsistent finisher to a more clinical striker, especially towards the end of the season.

 * Tactical Adjustments: Enzo Maresca(current coach)implemented a more attacking and dynamic style of play. While this sometimes led to defensive vulnerabilities, it also made Chelsea a more entertaining and dangerous team going forward. There were instances of tactical flexibility, such as Malo Gusto inverting from right-back to provide an extra body in midfield, which helped Chelsea dominate possession and create overloads.

 * Player Adaptation and Growth: The young and talented squad, which had undergone a massive overhaul in recent transfer windows, began to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and Pochettino's system. Players like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, after initial struggles, started to show more of their potential and exert greater influence in midfield. The sheer volume of young, high-potential players meant that with time, some were bound to click.

 * Increased Confidence and Momentum: As results started to turn positive, confidence within the squad grew. Ending the season with a strong run of five straight wins built significant momentum and demonstrated a newfound consistency. This positive spiral allowed players to perform with more freedom and belief.

While the direction of Chelsea under new management (Enzo Maresca) will bring new tactical approaches, the groundwork laid by Maresca (new coach) in fostering player development, establishing a more cohesive unit, and unlocking the potential of key individuals like Cole Palmer were undeniably major factors in their recent improvement.

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