FREEZING in December is something we’re all getting used to.
But Enzo Maresca and Chelsea are perhaps more accustomed to it than the rest of us.
Over the past six seasons, the Blues have taken 56 points from a possible 102 available in the month of December, and last season it was when their title hopes fell apart.
After an opening day defeat to Manchester City, Maresca’s side last season put together a run in which they only lost one in sixteen matches – looking like unlikely title challengers against runaway leaders Liverpool.
However, a Boxing Day defeat to Fulham was followed by defeat away to Ipswich Town and consecutive draws against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
Maresca, with his side second in the Premier League and talk of a title charge cropping up again, knows that his side need to step up against ‘lesser’ teams and not just on the big occasion.
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Ahead of the game away to Leeds, he said: “When you play games and you have experience, you’re going to be better.
“Now, the main message for me is quite clear. How many points for beating Barcelona? Three points. How many points for beating Arsenal? Three points. How many points for beating Leeds? Three points.
“I understand that there are games that are more important for different reasons, but again, it’s three points, so it’s important to beat Leeds, because we need to win games.
“Leeds and Bournemouth, both games, especially away, they are difficult for Chelsea, but they are difficult for any team.
Points taken in December
24/25: 13 from a possible 21
23/24: 12 from a possible 21
22/23: 3 from a possible 3 (World Cup)
21/22: 12 from a possible 21
20/21: 7 from a possible 18
19/20: 9 from a possible 18
“They’re going to be a different game compared to Barcelona, Arsenal.
“We need to be ready, we need to try to win both if we can, thinking that we always go game by game, so the first one is tomorrow, and then we start to focus on the next one.”
While Maresca will be missing Moises Caicedo through suspension, it seems at last he is ready to welcome Cole Palmer back into the side against Leeds.
He added: “Cole is available.
“The last game he was on the bench. For sure it’s more complicated for Cole, because now he needs to come back in terms of fitness condition.
“He is available, he can start the game. The idea of the game is to start giving minutes until he can play 90 minutes.”
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