Chelsea is EPL elite side, they have good records but doesn't come close when it comes to elite performances currently. The blues have declined in performance, they don't come with their current performance, they're inconsistent and settling for lesser scores. Not only the Blues but other competitive oppositions have climb down and not been able to dive into the limelight to triumph.
Chelsea are still in a transitional phase but last season we have seen how they are progressing in a good direction which of course can be a very good thing for them especially with the improved performance given then there is little hope to see their consistency continue until the new season starts.
Now that they are back in the Champions League after 2 seasons of not being in the competition, it is certainly a test for Enzo Maresca but if he can get through this well then it will be a good turning point for Chelsea as they will not be seen as a club that is uncertain after the leadership of the new boss.
Chelsea's struggle is still quite big now because they still have to be demanded to remain stable and restore their condition as in the era of the previous leader even though they also often failed but for now Chelsea still cannot be said to return to that era.
People always forget how crazy transition periods are. What Chelsea pulled off at the end of last season was underrated. That Conference League win and nicking fourth spot was about this new squad learning to believe in themselves when everything was falling apart. You saw young lads like Palmer, Caicedo, and even academy products stepping up. That’s not nothing!
Of course, consistency is the next hurdle, and Europe’s a completely leveling up right now, especially with the “Swiss model” group stage. No more easy games, it is straight into the deep end! This UCL campaign is basically the test of whether Maresca’s style can actually hold up or if it gets ripped apart by the likes of Real Madrid and PSG. But this group “tunnel vision” attitude might actually be their biggest weapon. If they do not let outside pressure mess with their heads, and a few leaders really emerge, this could be the season people start talking about Chelsea as a real force again. Not there yet, but the ingredients are finally there for something new, just needs the right spark.