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The worst manner for Chelsea to respond to their dominant victory of Barcelona would be to succumb to the hype. The problem is that feelings in the sport shift from one extreme to another, as the individuals overseeing things at Chelsea have quickly come to realize.

They have faced plenty of criticism for their alternative method since taking over the side from Roman Abramovich three years ago, so perhaps they are deserving to be a little doubtful now that the team are being praised for their transfer policy and touted as prospective title contenders before facing Arsenal on Sunday.

Contrary to common opinion, this is not a leadership that grows swept up easily. The starting turmoil has settled – the club have had multiple permanent managers since their purchase by the current owners and their partners – and the aim of building a sustainable long‑term project is incompatible with overreacting to one disappointing outcome, one good run of results or even one resounding victory over the Catalan club in the Europe.

The philosophy has not shifted since the beginning of the campaign: remain humble. It is worth remembering that there was plenty of critical talk from external sources when the team suffered defeat to the Red Devils and Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of September. Was anyone talking about a championship push then? Or, actually, after Chelsea squandered a one-goal lead and fell at Stamford Bridge to Sunderland last month? The sentiment was distinct. Cool heads were required; the guidance from on high was that Enzo Maresca and his team had to have faith in themselves after the defeat by Brighton.

Now, with draining on the road games against Leeds United and Bournemouth to arrive next week, the attention is on making sure Chelsea are not lulled into overconfidence after that impressive defeat of Barça.

Perhaps that stoic feel will help the youngest side in the English football keep balanced. the Italian, composed to a extreme in his media interactions, plays into the approach. Chelsea were in a analogous place this time last year but the manager consistently insisted they were not in the league race. He believed it was too premature in their development. The coach received backlash when Chelsea fell away and ended up in a fight for Champions League entry – had he offered the team an escape route? – but he was in his debut campaign as a Premier League manager. He and his players had to learn and grow.

It is a conscious approach. Maresca is not prone to making bold declarations, often remarking he is focusing no further than the upcoming fixture. His attitude has not been changed by Chelsea moving up to number two after a run of successes from their last multiple games. It will probably not even alter significantly if they defeat the Gunners and cut their competitors’ gap to a few points.

“If we triumph, whether we do not win, I think it’s too early,” Maresca said on Friday. “We are still in the eleventh month. It’s extremely crucial in the second month, March, where we are. From there we’ll see if we can accomplish something significant.”

That was about as close as it arrives to an acknowledgment that, yes, it is feasible for Chelsea to upset their opponents. Yet there is no burden on Maresca to claim the league this term. The coach has objectives to reach but Chelsea will not assess his performance until the following summer. They have zero desire to be pushed into sacking a manager during a campaign again. The Blues want stability and are only just getting going.

They have deals in order to recruit more promising talents in the off-seasons of 2026 and subsequent seasons. They were criticised for transferring the winger to Arsenal last window but did so because transferring an experienced Premier League talent had to be executed to make space for the incoming Estêvão Willian.

The winger is learning. The youngster winger was brilliant against Barcelona, netting a stunning finish, but the young prodigy is unlikely to line up against their next opponents. His workload is being carefully overseen by Maresca. Chelsea had a affected pre-season after going all the way in last summer’s global tournament. Maresca’s frequent squad rotation is proof of a boss considering about tomorrow as well as short-term.

Notwithstanding the moderation, though, it is also accurate that Chelsea are completely equipped of overcoming Arsenal. Cole Palmer is available after two months lay-off and prepared to feature. the winger is in superb condition in the final third, and the midfielder and the midfielder will rival Arsenal’s centre power.

Maresca said beating Paris Saint-Germain in that Club World Cup showpiece had helped his team’s attitude. He appreciates that they are distributing the finishing around more than the prior campaign, when there was too much leaning on the star. A strong substitutes will also offer him a variety of methods to challenge the Gunners’ defensive strength.

Can it be sufficient? Maybe not at this stage. The side at times are missing a clinical touch and the defender’s absence with a prolonged {