Nine points. Eight goals. Three games. One new hero.
To say Eden Hazard has taken the Premier League by storm may be an understatement. He has set up six goals and scored one in the first three games, and now, Chelsea fans have a three week break to take some deep breaths, and calm themselves down.
Ok, both Wigan and Reading would’ve been expected wins for the Blues, and a win at home to Newcastle, albeit a complete contrast of the scoreline in May, is hardly extraordinary.
But don’t tell Chelsea fans that.
Winnable games away at rivals QPR, and then back to the Bridge to play a physical Stoke City team await, before a mouthwatering clash against Arsene Wengers Gunners team.
The players will know that these will not be the games that shape the season, although picking up points early on will mean they can focus more on not losing important games later down the line, rather than having to throw the kitchen sink at winning them, although as they proved against Reading last week, they are no pushovers when behind, especially on the hallow Stamford Bridge turf.
Something seems different. Fernando Torres looks back to his best, no longer in Drogba’s shadow, Lampard and Terry look five years younger, and in Roberto Di Matteo, we seem to have a manager that oozes potential and class, as well as the fact his new team have started gelling almost immediately.
This break may not have come at the right time, breaking up a pattern of three straight wins, although it gives time for Oscar, Moses, and Azpilicueta to bed in, as well as players like Juan Mata to return to their best, after a crazy year of football for him.
It is pretty unlikely that any more signings will come in, although some are calling for a striker, but that seems unlikely unless Daniel Sturridge pushes a move, although with him being second choice behind Torres, I believe he should, and will, fight for his place, rather than move down the league to a team like Tottenham or Aston Villa.
We face Athletico Madrid in the European Super Cup first, this weekend, which will surely be a chance to see the new boys play, and maybe even Sturridge if Di Matteo chooses to rest El Nino.
After being edged out by Manchester City in the Community Shield though, expect RDM and his team to fight tooth and nail to win their first trophy, hopefully of many, and play a strong team on Friday, especially with a two-week break after that, until the QPR game.
What is for sure, is that The Blues couldn’t be in a better position going into the break, and it has left Chelsea fans wondering who, if anyone, can stop this 100% record?
By Brad Smith
@BrummieBrad
Lets not forget Oscar. He is just as talented as Hazard. We need to get Oscar, Hazard and Mata mixing it up!