Chelsea have two of the top five players in the Premier League right now
With the upheaval at Stamford Bridge over the summer, Chelsea could have been forgiven for starting the season slowly. Mauricio Pochettino departed to be replaced by Enzo Maresca in what would be his first top job in the Premier League.
Maresca guided Leicester City back to the Premier League by winning the Championship last season. And having dispensed with Pochettino's services, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital liked what they saw.
The Italian has got his principles into the players quickly, making key squad decisions and lifting the club immediately. Chelsea have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight games so far this season, with the two defeats coming to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Seventeen goals scored is the third-best in the league so far this season, only behind City and Tottenham. And given performance is generally determined by goals scored, Chelsea can say they have two of the best players in the Premier League right now.
Erling Haaland obviously leads the goalscoring charts with 10 in eight games, but that is all he has offered City (we say all, that's pretty damn good all told). The Norwegian has not chipped in with any assists thus far.
Measuring forward players on their combined output, Cole Palmer - who would have thought - is the leading player in the top flight right now with 11 goal involvements in eight games. Palmer has six goals and five assists making him the best all-round forward player so far this season.
READ MORE: Chelsea stance on Josh Acheampong future revealed as contract stand-off explained
READ MORE: Enzo Maresca takes Pep Guardiola to task with clever Chelsea plan as Arne Slot relies on Mo Salah
Haaland's 10 goals put him joint second, with Mohamed Salah's five goals and five assists for 10 goal involvements level. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka takes fourth, with two goals and a whopping seven assists.
The top five is then completed by another Chelsea star. Nicolas Jackson has also started the season like a house on fire, with five goals and three assists to his name.
It's clear to see Maresca is getting the most out of his two important forward players and Chelsea will need it to continue if they are to maintain their top four challenge this season.