Six weeks into the new season and much of the negativity around Chelsea has already faded away. Despite another bewildering transfer window under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership, new head coach Enzo Maresca already seems to have pieced together a competent team who are buying into his ideas.
Unbeaten since a predictable opening-day defeat to champions Manchester City, the Blues are just two points off second place with five games played, and the nature of the 3-0 dismantling of West Ham last time out suggests Maresca might just be cooking up something special at Stamford Bridge.
No-one expected such a swift adaptation to the Italian’s tactics, especially after the summer’s raft of new attacking arrivals, but things seem like they’re starting to click – but what is behind their strong start, and is it too early to judge?