Wolves v Chelsea: The low-down on Maurizio Sarri's side

We spoke with Simon Phillips, Chelsea correspondent for Transfer News Central, and Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent for ESPN, to get a proper look at Maurizio Sarri's side.

See what he had to say here...

Chelsea have started the season well and are in the running to challenge for the Premier League title considering their league position. How would you assess their season so far?

SP: Much better than expected.

It’s a new system, a new manager and a new style of play. I was never expecting us to be solid challengers for the title this season, and we are on course for some silverware which I will be more than pleased with at this stage.

LT: In terms of points they’re well ahead of schedule under Sarri.

Results have been more consistent than performances and until they lost to Tottenham, Chelsea’s obvious defensive weaknesses had gone largely unpunished.

Teams are beginning to realise how important stopping Jorginho is and Eden Hazard’s form has dipped in recent weeks, so I expect things to get tougher for them.

Maurizio Sarri has obviously only just made his way to the Premier League, how has he taken to life at Stamford Bridge?

SP: Sarri has been a breathe of fresh air.

He believes in his tactics, believes in attacking and controlling football and his honesty in press conferences is admirable.

He has a long way to go to having this team playing his way, but the changes and differences in some players already is a real achievement.

LT: He got the players on side immediately with the promise of “fun” and he’s done remarkably well to impose his ideas to the degree that he has, given that last summer was a nightmare for many coaches.

He’s also kept his perspective about how good his team is and is brutally honest about the strengths and weaknesses of his players, which us journalists appreciate but some in his dressing room may not if things start to go downhill.

What do you make of Chelsea's title credentials? A lot of people might not see them on the same level as Manchester City or Liverpool?

SP: Chelsea won’t win the title, both Man City and Liverpool look very strong and have had their managers/systems in place at least a couple seasons now.

I’d be pleased with top four and a Domestic/Euro trophy.

LT: I honestly don’t think there is a title race.

Liverpool have done well to keep it close so far but Manchester City are a class apart, and I expect that to show in the table sooner or later.

Chelsea don’t belong in the conversation.

What sort of transfer business did Chelsea do over the summer? What have you made of that aforementioned transfer business?

SP: I think the recruitment in the summer was just above average.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has proven a world class signing, and Jorginho was a good coup as he’s the orchestrator in Sarri’s system.

I’d like to see us push on now though and show Hazard that ambition he craves in order to keep him at the club.

We need a few more Kepa style signings over the next year, and move on some of the deadwood in order to really compete with Man City.

LT: In terms of recruitment the process was a mess but the results have been pretty good, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic all making a big impact.

It’s hard to imagine how Sarri could have imposed his style on this team so quickly without Jorginho. In addition to being an excellent footballer he’s also a leader and popular guy.

Kepa has also been quietly impressive enough that Thibaut Courtois hasn’t been missed, and Kovacic has shown flashes of his talent.

Wolves are currently in the midst of a bad run, having lost to Huddersfield and Cardiff. Do you think Chelsea will look at Wolves as an 'easy' target?

SP: No, Sarri is very smart, he knows this team isn’t close to being there yet, and he will know not to be complacent against any team in the Premier League.

The beauty of this league is any team can beat anyone and the players/coaches know this. Wolves will be far from easy.

LT: I think Chelsea sense this might be a good time to play Wolves, but more importantly they know that maintaining momentum and building confidence will be vital with City visiting Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

What sort of style, system and predicted XI can we expect to see from Chelsea against Wolves? Is Sarri's style different to that of Antonio Conte, who obviously departed in the summer?

SP: Yes, entirely different.

Conte looked to contain, counter attack and be more robust, whereas Sarri plays a more controlling, attractive and attacking style.

He will start at Wolves with that same formation he has all season 4-3-3, with the usual suspects starting.

It only seems the left centre midfield, right wing and striker are the only positions that aren’t nailed on right now.

LT: Sarri has stuck rigidly to his expansive, high-pressing 4-3-3 and the starting XI has been very easy to predict.

Eight of the 11 starters are nailed on, with Kovacic, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek battling for the final midfield spot, Willian or Pedro on the right and Alvaro Morata alternating with Olivier Giroud up front.

That said, with City coming up it’ll be interesting to see if he rotates a bit more.

Do Chelsea have any injury worries to deal with coming into the game?

SP: No major injuries as far as I’m aware.

Kovacic limped off a little last match and a few have been suffering fatigue, but as far as the first eleven goes, they’re all fit I believe.

LT: Minor niggles have hampered Hazard and Kovacic in the last couple of weeks but on the whole Chelsea are pretty healthy.

What have you made of Wolves from afar? Do you think they're capable of managing a top ten finish despite their recent rough patch?

SP: I think Wolves did some good business in the summer and I like Nuno Espirito Santo.

They seem to have done very well in spells this season but stuttering at other times.

Looks to be a case of all the new boys gelling and getting used to what the manager wants.

I think they’ll have a decent season still and can finish top ten.

LT: Wolves clearly have top-half talent, and Ruben Neves in particular could start for any of the Premier League’s top six.

I’m mystified by their defeats against Huddersfield and Cardiff - in my opinion the two least talented teams in the league - but they have played the better sides pretty close so far, so I’m expecting an improved showing.

Your match prediction?

SP: I think Chelsea will win 3-1.

LT: I think Chelsea will just about win but Wolves will make them work for it.

Wolves 1-2 Chelsea

You can follow Simon on Twitterhere, equally - follow Liam here.