Being lauded as possibly the greatest-ever Chelsea side without lifting a trophy seems a little premature even for the most bullish of football teams.
But you can understand the hype, and the hope, within their ranks as they enter the festive period on top of the Premier League and with eyes on a historic quadruple.
That would mark the finest season of any English club side and legendary status.
Ambition is one thing, though, and achievement another. Others have set their sights on doing the same, but failed.
Newcastle ended optimism of an undefeated campaign and unless the Blues maintain momentum in their three festive games then their plans for glory and greatness could yet be scuppered.
A home clash with West Ham on Boxing Day will not be as predictable as it once was. As well as being a derby, their fourth-placed rivals from London’s East End have four wins in five games and failed to score in just two of their 17 games.
Jose Mourinho on the Christmas schedule… #CFC pic.twitter.com/ln6zDrA5C6
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) December 24, 2014
Then follows two tough trips, the first to Southampton, now fifth after a poor run of their own, and on to North London for another derby with Tottenham.
These will be true tests of Chelsea’s character as well as quality and go a long way to determining whether the league title will be among their prized possessions in May.
Four times in the last five seasons – starting with Chelsea in 2009/10 – the team that has finished top on Christmas Day has gone on to win the title. Liverpool were the exception as they capitulated under pressure in the previous campaign.
Manchester City took advantage then and, in the words of keeper Joe Hart, are ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Chelsea this time.
Fighting talk indeed.
But just like boss Jose Mourinho, his men don’t look the type to take hits without showing their own force.
As much as people are excited about the prospect of Floyd Mayweather Jnr against Manny Pacquiao in May, a no-holds barred battle between Chelsea and City at the same time could be just as tight and tremendous – and similarly settled by the difference of a few points.
With eight straight wins and a joint-club record ninth expected at West Brom on Friday, City are on a roll.
A trip to Everton, and home games with Arsenal and Newcastle, are likely to provide their biggest problems before they head to Stamford Bridge on January 31 for their massive meeting.
So far, Chelsea have stood up to the challenges laid before them. They know how to scrap, they have been stylish with their attacking flair and they have a spirit that every team should envy.
While Thibaut Courtois, John Terry and Diego Costa provide a solid spine, their midfield has been magnificent – and perhaps be key to who will eventually be crowned champions.
In Nemanja Matic, Chelsea possess a calm and combative player who will surely receive the same repute and respect of a Paul Pogba.
Eden Hazard is one of those rare wingers able to graft and defy bullying defenders on a cold night at Stoke, as well as provide the guile to be a matchwinner. Brazilian Willian could be just as influential if he follows the example of the brilliant Belgian.
And then there is Cesc Fabregas, who seems to have matured during his frustrating spell at Barcelona and become stronger – physically and mentally.
Dictating play in simplistic style and with 12 assists in 16 league games already, it is still baffling why Arsenal refused to take up their first option on the Spaniard in the summer.
This is a top-class quartet and could well stand proudly alongside the league’s all-time best, such as Manchester United when Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham ruled the roost, or when Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires were in their pomp at Arsenal.
These were great sides. To match them, Chelsea must have medals.
