Despite the largely underwhelming results in their start to the season, it is the underlying statistics that have reassured Chelsea chiefs they are on the right track.
And while they wait for their attacking output to catch up, Mauricio Pochettino can head into games safe in the knowledge that from a massively overhauled squad he has built a defensive unit that has become one of the Premier League’s meanest.
That is one area that has seen clear improvement under Pochettino, thanks to a number of factors including his tactical tweaks, successful recruiting and having defenders who relish their jobs and are prepared to cover for their team-mates.
Chelsea head to Burnley on Saturday having conceded the fewest goals per game — 0.78 — of all 20 Premier League clubs in all competitions.
They have conceded more than once in just one of their nine matches and Monday’s clean sheet at Fulham was their fourth this season. Only Arsenal and Newcastle, with five, have more.
Chelsea’s defensive unit has seen signs of clear improvement under Mauricio Pochettino
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez kept a third clean sheet in seven games in the 1-0 win over Fulham
Pochettino said: ‘The whole team, when we don’t have the ball is doing a fantastic job.
‘The commitment is amazing and I think that is the start. If you want to be a good team and challenge for big things, if you’re not solid, it’s difficult.
‘Look what happened here with Chelsea two or three years ago. They won the Champions League winning only 1-0, not scoring too many goals but not conceding.
‘It is really important to have this feeling that we are difficult to beat. We have been working really hard from the beginning, also in an offensive way to play, but the most important thing is to find the right balance.
‘You need to build the house from the foundations.’
The Fulham shutout was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s third in seven league appearances.
His elevation from Brighton’s third choice to Chelsea No 1 may have raised eyebrows, though perhaps not for the man he replaced — Kepa Arrizabalaga. Kepa was initially open to Chelsea bringing in a goalkeeper to compete for the starting spot.
But when it was Sanchez who arrived he is said to have known the writing was on the wall, having been familiar with his countryman’s qualities from their time together on international duty.
Reece James remains first-choice right back and captain too when fit and available, which he should be again after the international break.
Full back Malo Gusto has impressed at Chelsea prior to his red card against Aston Villa
Marc Cucurella has deputised well during Gusto’s suspension after a tough first season
James’s absence at times in recent seasons was keenly felt. But Malo Gusto’s £26m arrival from Lyon has eased that issue.
Gusto was identified by Chelsea’s recruitment team as the perfect, high-potential young challenger to James, the best young right-back in Europe and a future French international.
His performances before his debatable dismissal against Aston Villa have only supported their conclusions.
Behind him Marc Cucurella has been a welcome surprise. He has deputised impressively for the suspended Gusto in the last two games. Cucurella was among the raft of new faces who failed to live up to expectations after arriving last season, in his case from Brighton for £62m. And were Chelsea and Manchester United able to agree a loan fee he would now be at Old Trafford.
But after that proposed move disappeared Cucurella had positive talks with Pochettino and reiterated that his full focus was on Chelsea and giving his best wherever he is needed.
The versatile defender has been true to his word with his recent, committed displays in an unfamiliar position.
Thiago Silva and ever-present summer signing from Monaco Axel Disasi have been Chelsea’s main central defenders. The years are advancing and pace declining for Silva. But his influence and quality remain high.
With his personality, maturity and robustness — playing every minute so far — Disasi ticked a lot of boxes in Chelsea’s search for a right-sided centre-back following Wesley Fofana’s injury.
Thiago Silva and summer signing Axel Disasi have been Chelsea’s main central defenders
Keeping Levi Colwill has been a boost for Chelsea after the defender received summer interest
Disasi has typified Chelsea’s desire to defend too, occasionally celebrating blocks and tackles like goals.
Another big victory has been keeping hold of Levi Colwill. Like Silva he is one of the more vocal members of Chelsea’s defence. Pochettino’s use of the natural centre-back as a left-back has been a surprise but speaks to the desire to get him on the pitch anyway they can.
With his ability on the ball Chelsea did toy with the idea of trying Colwill as an inverted full-back but the experimenting has ultimately stopped at using him in a way that allowed Pochettino’s team to flip mid-match between a back three and four.
Pochettino said: ‘It’s amazing what he is doing. We are so happy with him in all aspects. He is young but very mature.’
Once they return from injury, Chelsea will also have Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana to add to the mix.