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The most damaging way for Chelsea to answer to their thrashing of the Spanish giants would be to buy into the buzz. The issue is that emotions in the sport swing from one extreme to another, as the people overseeing things at the club have swiftly come to understand.

They have faced plenty of ridicule for their alternative strategy since buying the team from their former proprietor three years ago, so possibly they are entitled to be a little wary now that Chelsea are being applauded for their player acquisition strategy and touted as possible title contenders before welcoming the Gunners on Sunday.

In contrast to widespread view, this is not a board that grows overexcited easily. The initial disorder has settled – Chelsea have had four long-term coaches since their takeover by Todd Boehly and their partners – and the goal of developing a long-lasting long‑term project is at odds with overresponding to one disappointing performance, one decent sequence of performances or even one thumping win over Barcelona in the Europe.

The philosophy has not altered since the beginning of the campaign: keep humble. It is worth recalling that there was plenty of negative noise from external sources when Chelsea lost to United and Brighton & Hove Albion at the conclusion of September. Was anybody talking about a league challenge then? Or, in fact, after the club squandered a single-goal cushion and lost at their own ground to the Championship side last month? The atmosphere was distinct. Cool thinking were required; the guidance from leadership was that the head coach and his players had to have faith in themselves after the defeat by the Seagulls.

Now, with draining travel games against Leeds and Bournemouth to arrive next week, the attention is on guaranteeing the team are not fooled into overconfidence after that impressive beating of Barcelona.

Possibly that unflappable vibe will aid the most youthful side in the top flight remain balanced. the Italian, measured to a extreme in his public engagements, fits the strategy. Chelsea were in a analogous place this time last year but the Italian consistently stated they were not in the championship contest. He felt it was too early in their development. Maresca faced criticism when Chelsea declined and ended up in a struggle for Champions League placement – had he given the team an excuse? – but he was in his first season as a Premier League coach. He and his team had to learn and develop.

It is a intentional strategy. The manager is not given to making bold pronouncements, often stating he is looking ahead no beyond than the upcoming fixture. His stance has not been changed by Chelsea climbing to number two after several successes from their previous half-dozen fixtures. It will probably not even change dramatically if they overcome the Gunners and narrow their rivals’ advantage to several points.

“Whether we triumph, if we don’t prevail, I feel it’s too soon,” the Italian said on Friday. “We are still in the eleventh month. It’s extremely important in February, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll see if we can accomplish something meaningful.”

That was about as near as it arrives to an concession that, indeed, it is possible for the Blues to upset the Gunners. Yet there is no pressure on the manager to secure the league this term. The 45-year-old has goals to achieve but Chelsea will not review his contributions until the following summer. They have no wish to be forced into dismissing a manager during a campaign again. The Blues desire stability and are only just beginning their journey.

They have agreements in order to recruit more youth in the summers of 2026 and subsequent seasons. They were questioned for transferring the winger to their rivals last summer but did so because moving an experienced English player had to be done to free up a spot for the new the Brazilian.

The winger is developing. The 18-year-old attacker was exceptional against Barça, scoring a spectacular goal, but the Brazilian talent is not expected to begin against their next opponents. His playing time is being carefully handled by the manager. Chelsea had a interrupted warm-up period after progressing all the way in last season’s global tournament. Maresca’s heavy changes is proof of a manager considering about the future as well as the present.

Notwithstanding the restraint, though, it is also correct that Chelsea are completely capable of defeating their rivals. Cole Palmer is back after an extended out and set to start. Pedro Neto is in fine form in the final third, and Moisés Caicedo and the playmaker will match the Gunners’ midfield power.

Maresca said beating the French champions in that Club World Cup final had benefited his team’s mindset. He values that they are distributing the goals around more evenly than last campaign, when there was too much leaning on the star. A deep substitutes will also offer him a multitude of methods to confront the Gunners’ defensive power.

Can it be adequate? Possibly not yet. The side sometimes are missing a ruthless touch and the centre-back’s absence with a prolonged {