If you asked the majority of Chelsea supporters at the start of the season whether they would take where they are right now in the third international break of the campaign, the majority would have said yes.
The Blues are in third place in the Premier League table after 11 matches, sitting six points behind league leaders Arsenal and two adrift of Manchester City in second. In the Champions League, they occupy 12th place after two wins, a draw and a defeat from their first four European games. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination as Enzo Maresca will be desperate to qualify via the top eight, but given they are only halfway through and have already played some tricky ties, it is understandable.
In the Carabao Cup, the Blues are into the last eight of the competition. A quarter-final tie away at League One opposition Cardiff City is to come next month, with Chelsea big favourites to reach the last four. All of this after an unprecedented 13-day-long pre-season campaign following their success at the World Cup.
You look around the Chelsea squad and you can see plenty of players doing really well. Moises Caicedo, for instance, has been spectacular since the start of the campaign, while Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro and Robert Sanchez have all been tremendous as well. But there are a few players that need to step up.
Jorrel Hato being an example of one. There is no doubting Hato has ability - he was one of the most sought-after defenders in the summer transfer window, but he is yet to show it, really, at Stamford Bridge. A couple of nervy displays, particularly against Qarabag earlier this month, have left Chelsea supporters wanting more.
Jamie Gittens, too, while improving a lot recently, still needs to take his game to the next level in order to make himself a guaranteed starter under Maresca. At the moment, Maresca trusts Alejandro Garnacho much more on the left wing. Premier League experience could be a factor in that, as well as Garnacho's evident improvement in recent weeks, and the task for Gittens now is to try and find that next gear.
There is so much potential and ability there - that much is obvious - but he still looks extremely raw. His decision-making, at times, is not quite up to scratch and neither is his calmness and composure in the final third. The win against Wolves in the Carabao Cup is the clearest indication we have witnessed yet to the sort of player Gittens can be when the confidence is there, but that has not always been there to see during his short time in SW6.
Chelsea will be desperate to get more out of Liam Delap between now and the end of the season. There is a confidence that will happen given the 22-year-old striker's stop-start campaign thus far and how that has disrupted his beginning to life at Stamford Bridge.
Delap has only made six appearances in all competitions thus far and is yet to find the back of the net this term. Once the international break concludes, it almost feels like a fresh start for Delap; when we can finally judge Chelsea's new No.9.
Another one who could do with improving is Facundo Buonanotte. It almost feels harsh to say that given his role in the squad. The Brighton loanee only has made just five appearances in all competitions for the Blues since joining on deadline day - and only one of them came in the Premier League.
However, when he is called upon, for his own sake, he needs to make more of an impression. He is a fine player in many ways; always shows for the ball, moves intelligently out of possession, but his impact in matches is missing at the moment. If he is to try and go against the likes of Joao Pedro, Fernandez and even Cole Palmer for the No.10 role, then there is much more required.
Andrey Santos could do with making more of an impression once the international break is over. There have been glimpses of the Brazilian's talent in his appearances this season, yet many supporters are still wondering where on the pitch Santos is the most impactful.
His performance against Wolves in the cup was his best in a Chelsea shirt to date. Alongside Romeo Lavia in the centre of midfield, Santos was allowed the freedom to roam and find some dangerous positions further up the pitch. That looks like the blueprint for Santos moving forward and it would be nice to see him there much more between now and the end of the season, particularly with Maresca's desire to manage the likes of Caicedo and Fernandez's work-load.
There are a number of caveats with all of these players, particularly the younger ones who are adapting to a new league, and for some a new country. They all have the potential to become first-team regulars at Stamford Bridge, but from what we have witnessed from them thus far, you are left wanting more.
