Chelsea need at least 10 points from next five Premier League matches to kickstart Maresca reign
It's match-week! The international break is now in its final stages and Chelsea are close to returning to action.
The Blues travel down to the south coast this weekend to take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. After being held at home to Crystal Palace last time out in the Premier League, the importance of three points in Dorset has increased even more.
Although, it will be far from easy for Chelsea. The Cherries are yet to lose this season in the league under Andoni Iraola - with two draws and one victory from their opening three games. That includes that incredible late comeback against Everton last time out to win 3-2 at Goodison Park.
Last season, Chelsea were unable to break Bournemouth down at the Vitality, in what was a very dull 90-or-so minutes on the south coast. However, just a few months before, the Blues did manage to get all three points at the Cherries with a 3-1 victory; in what was Frank Lampard's only victory in his spell as interim boss.
Chelsea have a fairly strong record down at Bournemouth in the Premier League. Since their first meeting back in April 2016, the Blues have won four of their seven top-flight trips down at the previously-named Dean Court.
After that, Chelsea go to West Ham United in the Premier League. A London derby that has not been too kind to the Blues in recent seasons; especially at the London Stadium.
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Chelsea first went to the new stadium for a Premier League fixture, after the Hammers left Upton Park, in March 2017. Goals either side of half-time from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa gave the Blues an important three points for their successful bid to become Premier League champions under Antonio Conte.
That, though, is one of Chelsea's two wins at the London Stadium in the Premier League. The other one came in April 2021 with Timo Werner scoring the only goal of the game.
It has been a notoriously difficult ground for Chelsea to travel to but it is one they cannot lose. A lot of Blues supporters will be demanding three points there but as long as they can pick up strong results in some of their other fixtures, getting out of there with a point will be a positive result for Enzo Maresca.
Next for Chelsea in the league is a home match with Brighton at Stamford Bridge. A fixture that has added spice given the turnaround between the two clubs in recent seasons. But one that Chelsea have to be targeting all three points from, despite the Seagulls' perfect start to the campaign.
Then, after that, it is the 'easiest' one on paper for Chelsea. A home clash against Nottingham Forest. Many expect Forest to be in and around the relegation zone again this season and after losing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, Chelsea cannot afford anything close to a repeat of that this time around.
Three points are an absolute must in that game. Maresca needs to be targeting wins against those sort of teams in every single home match this season. It is where Chelsea need to improve.
The last of the five fixtures comes from Anfield. If Chelsea can knock up at least 10 points from the four outings beforehand, then going to Liverpool should essentially be a 'free hit'.
Arne Slot has started life on Merseyside in perfect fashion and he has ensured there has been no drop off whatsoever from the Reds after Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of last season. Chelsea will have their work cut out at Anfield but ensuring a 10/12 points tally beforehand could ease the pressure for Maresca in the north west.