“The Next Hazard: Chelsea Have Pulled Off ‘One of the Signings of the Season'”
It was a fantastic weekend to be a Chelsea fan. With Liverpool’s Merseyside derby postponed due to Storm Darragh, and both Arsenal and Manchester City held to away draws, the stage was set for Chelsea to make a statement. In Sunday’s headline match, the Blues pulled off a stunning comeback, overturning a 2-0 deficit to beat fierce rivals Tottenham 4-2 at their own ground.
Things looked bleak early on for Enzo Maresca’s men as Spurs surged ahead with two goals inside the opening 11 minutes. Adding to the chaos, Marc Cucurella was caught swapping boots on the sideline after slipping in the buildup to Tottenham’s opener. However, Chelsea quickly regained their composure and dominated proceedings. Despite trailing until the hour mark, their eventual victory felt inevitable. By full-time, it seemed as though there had never been any doubt.
Now sitting second in the Premier League, Chelsea trail leaders Liverpool by just four points, albeit with one more game played. Maresca has been quick to downplay title talk, insisting his side “are not ready” and urging fans to “dream” while remaining realistic. Nevertheless, their recent performances tell a different story.
Cole Palmer: The Star of the Show
Once again, Cole Palmer shone brightest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 22-year-old converted two second-half penalties, including an audacious Panenka, to seal the comeback. With 11 goals already this season and three consecutive Premier League games with a goal, Palmer is hitting new heights. Post-match, Jamie Carragher declared on Sky Sports that Palmer has been the league’s best-performing player since the start of last season—a claim that’s hard to dispute.
Enzo Fernández: Rediscovering Form
In the weeks leading up to this resurgence, Enzo Fernández had lost his starting spot, benched in major clashes against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Arsenal. Yet, the Argentine has stormed back into form, showcasing why Chelsea spent £107 million to secure his services. Across his last three Premier League games, Fernández has contributed three goals and three assists. Against Tottenham, he led the game with 75 touches and completed 49 passes, the second-highest on the pitch, according to Sofascore.
Jadon Sancho: From Questioned Signing to Potential Bargain
When Chelsea signed Jadon Sancho on deadline day from Manchester United for an initial loan with a £25m obligation to buy, fans questioned the move. However, the winger has quickly silenced critics. Since his debut, where he provided a game-winning assist for Christopher Nkunku, Sancho has established himself as a key player under Maresca. His goal against Spurs on Sunday—a brilliant strike cutting in from the left—had shades of Eden Hazard, a Chelsea legend renowned for his brilliance in big games, especially against Tottenham.
Sancho’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Described as “one of the signings of the season” by The Independent’s Will Castle, the 23-year-old is proving to be a bargain. With six Premier League starts under his belt and standout performances like the one on Sunday, he is firmly entrenched in Chelsea’s A-team.
Hazard Comparisons: Style and Substance
Sancho’s dazzling display has drawn comparisons to Eden Hazard, and for good reason. Hazard scored six career goals against Tottenham, and Sancho’s performance evoked memories of the Belgian’s ability to dictate games with flair and efficiency. The stylistic similarities may be clear, but the numbers are beginning to back up those comparisons as well.
Chelsea’s revival under Maresca is gathering momentum, and with players like Palmer, Fernández, and Sancho hitting top form, they could be poised to challenge for silverware sooner than expected.
