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The least productive approach for the Blues to respond to their demolition of Barcelona would be to believe the hype. The challenge is that emotions in the sport fluctuate from one end to another, as the individuals running things at Chelsea have swiftly come to appreciate.

They have encountered plenty of mockery for their alternative method since taking over the side from their former proprietor three years ago, so perhaps they are justified to be a little doubtful now that the team are being praised for their recruitment plan and touted as potential title challengers before facing Arsenal on Sunday.

In contrast to widespread opinion, this is not a leadership that becomes swept up easily. The starting chaos has settled – the club have had four permanent managers since their purchase by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital – and the goal of developing a enduring future-oriented plan is incompatible with overresponding to one disappointing performance, one good sequence of performances or even one resounding triumph over Barça in the continental competition.

The philosophy has not changed since the beginning of the season: keep modest. It is valuable remembering that there was plenty of negative commentary from outsiders when the Blues were defeated to United and Brighton at the conclusion of September. Was anyone speaking about a title push then? Or, indeed, after the club squandered a single-goal advantage and lost at home to Sunderland last month? The atmosphere was distinct. Cool minds were necessary; the message from on high was that the head coach and his squad had to have faith in themselves after the setback by Brighton.

Now, with tough travel fixtures against Leeds United and the Cherries to arrive next week, the focus is on guaranteeing Chelsea are not fooled into satisfaction after that remarkable beating of the Spanish side.

Perhaps that calm vibe will assist the youngest team in the top flight stay even-keeled. Maresca, composed to a fault in his public interactions, fits the plan. The team were in a analogous situation this time last year but the Italian repeatedly stated they were not in the league race. He felt it was too soon in their growth. The Italian received scrutiny when Chelsea fell away and ended up in a fight for Champions League entry – had he given the team an excuse? – but he was in his debut season as a English coach. He and his team had to learn and grow.

It is a intentional approach. The manager is not inclined to making brave declarations, often stating he is focusing no more than the next game. His position has not been altered by the team climbing to second after several victories from their previous multiple matches. It will probably not even shift dramatically if they defeat their rivals and narrow their opponents’ advantage to several points.

“If we win, if we don’t prevail, I believe it’s too premature,” Maresca said on Friday. “We are still in autumn. It’s incredibly significant in February, the third month, where we are. From there we’ll assess if we can attain something meaningful.”

That was about as near as it arrives to an admission that, yes, it is feasible for Chelsea to challenge the Gunners. Yet there is no expectation on Maresca to claim the title this term. The manager has objectives to hit but Chelsea will not evaluate his work until this summer. They have no desire to be pushed into firing a boss during a campaign again. The club want stability and are only just beginning their journey.

They have deals in position to sign more youngsters in the transfer windows of 2026 and later. They were criticised for transferring the winger to Arsenal last summer but did so because releasing an experienced English attacker had to be completed to create room for the incoming the Brazilian.

The winger is developing. The 18-year-old forward was brilliant against the opposition, netting a breathtaking finish, but the young starlet is unlikely to start against the Gunners. His playing time is being carefully managed by Maresca. Chelsea had a disrupted pre-season after progressing all the way in last previous Club World Cup. The manager’s extensive squad rotation is proof of a manager planning about the future as well as the present.

For all the moderation, though, it is also correct that the team are absolutely capable of beating their rivals. Cole Palmer is back after two months absence and set to start. Pedro Neto is in superb shape in offence, and Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández will rival Arsenal’s centre strength.

The head coach said beating Paris Saint-Germain in that Club World Cup final had helped his side’s mindset. He appreciates that they are distributing the goals around to a greater extent than last season, when there was too much leaning on the attacker. A strong bench will also give him a range of options to confront Arsenal’s backline might.

Will it be adequate? Possibly not at this stage. Chelsea sometimes do not have a ruthless touch and the centre-back’s unavailability with a long-term {