The Blues have the best Expected Goal Difference (xGD) by some distance in the Premier League so far this season (+4.1).

That metric is the difference between a team’s Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Goals Against (xGA) tallies – it points to the Blues’ attacking dynamism and solidity at the back.

Indeed, since 25 February, no team has a better defensive record than Chelsea. We have conceded just eight goals in our past 15 league matches, picking up nine clean sheets along the way. Allied to that has been an attacking thrust that helped us win the Conference League and Club World Cup in style, netting seven goals across those two finals.

For Maresca, the equation is simple.

‘We attack good, we create chances, and we can be dangerous if we build in the right way with our defenders,’ he said.

‘And we defend well if we press well with the attacking players. It’s not about how we have defenders or how we have attackers; it’s about the whole team. I have always said the same to the players since day one.'

He added: ‘You can create chances by building in the right way with Levi (Colwill), with Tosin (Adarabioyo), with Trev (Chalobah), with Wes (Fofana). We can defend better with Liam (Delap), Joao (Pedro), Cole (Palmer), Pedro (Neto) if they press in the right way.

‘We are happy with the way we are defending and we are happy with the way we are attacking, knowing it’s about trying to evolve and improve.’

There is plenty to be excited about – but Maresca knows there are areas where the Blues can get better.

‘In terms of players, there are always things we can improve. And by improving players, most of the time, you improve the team.

‘We have said already that with Cucu (Marc Cucurella), with Enzo (Fernandez), with Moi (Caicedo), with Levi, when I joined the club the situation around these players was a bit different compared to today.

'At the end, it’s because of the way they want to improve, the way they want to learn. We just give them tools, and they are the ones who play the games.

‘For the team, we start to add more solutions in terms of structure and being dynamic. We can still add solutions there.’

The next challenge awaiting Maresca and his side comes in the shape of a Brentford team that has long proven dangerous Premier League opponents – notably on home soil.

Having already watched tight London derbies against Crystal Palace and Fulham this season, the head coach is ready for another testing encounter.

‘It’s always a tough game [against Brentford], both were last year,’ he pointed out. ‘The Premier League is the best in the world because of that. It’s always difficult and I expect the same.’