Virgil van Dijk reveals key to Chelsea's electric start to the season under Enzo Maresca and insists they are title contenders after Blues narrowed the gap on leaders Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk has given his thoughts on just how far red-hot Chelsea can go this season and explained the secret behind their sensational start under Enzo Maresca. 

The Italian boss took over at Stamford Bridge from Mauricio Pochettino in the summer after the west London side slipped to a disappointing sixth-placed finish last season.

A summer of chaos ensued with a number of high-profile arrivals and departures as well as a host of players, including the likes of Conor Gallagher, being placed in a ‘bomb squad’ as Maresca looked to trim his bloated squad.

But Chelsea have made a fine start to the season, winning nine of their opening 15 matches leaving them behind only high-flying Liverpool in the Premier League.

They closed the gap on Sunday, beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 in a thrilling encounter after the Reds’ match against Everton was suspended.

Now Liverpool captain van Dijk has broken his silence on Chelsea’s title hopes and has given an insight into what makes Maresca’s men tick.  

Enzo Maresca has made a real difference at the club since joining in the summer from Leicester

Van Dijk has shared the secrets behind Chelsea’s success after they closed the gap at the top

He said: ‘I don’t think they are under the radar. Obviously with the squad they have and the players they have. The players that can come off the bench. 

‘Obviously we can talk about inexperience maybe but they have the quality, they have the players to make it difficult for any team and that is what they have been doing so they are definitely up there. 

‘I think they have shown it.’

Chelsea are currently fighting on two fronts, making a perfect start to their Europa Conference League campaign despite making wholesale changes in each match.

Their latest fixture in the competition involves a 7000-mile round trip to face Astana in Kazakhstan on Thursday and Maresca has named just eight first-team players in his squad for the tough journey.

It remains to be seen who will make Maresca’s starting line-up in the city of Almaty, where it is forecasted to reach as low as minus 11 on the day, but a combination of multiple youngsters and senior players is expected.

Chelsea have now touched down in Kazakhstan following a 10hr flight that has seen 12 academy stars travel alongside eight first team players as the Blues look to maintain their 100 per cent winning start in the competition.

Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Ato Ampah, Max Merrick, Lucas Bergstrom, Josh Acheampong, Shumaira Mheuka and Richard Olise – brother of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise – were the youngsters that made the trip.

Maresca has 12 youngsters in his squad for the club’s 7000-mile round trip to face Astana

Rising star Josh Acheampong, the academy star who has been involved in a contract wrangle,is amongst those who have travelled

Summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is one of only two senior midfielders to travel as he targets more starting opportunities, while Pedro Neto is expected to lead Chelsea’s attack.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Acheampong is one of those set for his first senior start after positive progress was made in his contract stand-off which previously saw the 18-year-old frozen out.

Those travelling will then have to head back for a quick turn-around ahead of their Sunday evening clash with Brentford in the Premier League.

Liverpool, meanwhile, remain top despite last Saturday’s Merseyside Derby being cancelled due to Storm Darragh.

They have made a remarkable start to the campaign under new manager Arne Slot, winning 11 of their opening 14 matches to go four points clear at the summit with a game in hand, while they are also top of their Champions League group.

Captain van Dijk is a potential departure from Anfield this summer, with less than six months left on his deal before he can leave as a free agent in June 2025.