Last season at this time of year after playing half of the 38 game Premier League season Chelsea were on a long unbeaten run of their own leading with 49 points.
Liverpool were in 2nd with 43 points with Manchester City sitting in 5th on goal difference but 10 points behind the Blues last campaign.
This season they went down to a shocking 2-3 opening day home loss at the hands of the League’s surprise package in Sean Dyche’s Burnley side who are in 7th only 3 points out of a Champions League qualification spot.
This year things could not be more different as Chelsea have played well but have had some distinctly average games like the two games they played against Roma in the Champions League group stage, where they were lucky to end up tied 3-3 at Stamford Bridge as the Italians played a fine game to come back for the point away from home.
In Rome it was a different story completely as Chelsea were blown away 3-0 in the Italian capital and never really looked in the game and were totally played off the field.
As a result of the difficulties Chelsea encountered in their group they did qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League but as a 2nd place qualifier and have drawn favourites Lionel Messi’s Barcelona who are looking pretty formidable at the moment.
Chelsea will try to gain confidence from how they beat Barca on their way to winning the 2011-12 Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo when they beat Bayern Munich in the final
Following the 3-0 loss to Roma when they played Manchester United now managed by two-time former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, 5 days later in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, there was only one team in it really.
Chelsea played well and attacked with guile and gave up very few chances to the much vaunted United attacking line and scored the winner but should have won by more than the great finish by supposed United first choice transfer target striker Alvaro Morata.
Chelsea currently sit in 3rd in the League 16 points behind Manchester City but only 3 points behind Manchester United in 2nd.
Chelsea have made it through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and will play Arsenal and after they made a number of big signings in the summer who are all adjusting to Antonio Conte and the Premier League itself.
There is no reason why Chelsea can’t win the Carabao Cup, finish 2nd in the League and go deep into the Champions League later rounds and perhaps win the FA Cup so there is still lots to play for this season.
Chelsea will likely back Conte if he wants to sign a player or two in the January transfer window.
It will be interesting to see who Chelsea go for.
We will see Chelsea in action next on Boxing Day against Chris Hughton’s newly promoted Brighton side.