Despite starting the 2023/24 campaign with just three wins from nine matches - having spent £1 billion over the last three transfer windows - Sky Sports' Joe Shread believes there are finally some encouraging signs for the Blues.

After being tasked with taking the reins at Stamford Bridge over the summer, Mauricio Pochettino is now starting to implement his style of football and work out his best XI, which has been reflected in recent results.

Brentford are the next team to take on Pochettino's side when they make the short trip across west London on Saturday lunchtime.

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League table after a very mixed start in terms of results. How would you summarise what you've seen so far?

On the face of it, just three wins from nine matches after spending a fortune in the summer doesn't seem great, but there are reasons to be positive about Chelsea's start to the season.

The team is far more watchable under Mauricio Pochettino than at any time under Graham Potter or Frank Lampard and a clear starting XI is starting to take shape. Chelsea also seem to finally be rediscovering the ability to score goals and the fact they outplayed a very strong Arsenal team - albeit without seeing out the win - last weekend is a promising sign of progress.

A lot has been made of the £1 billion the club have spent under Todd Boehly's ownership and the fact that it has not brought any kind of success so far. The Blues entered the international break on the back of two solid wins; do you think there are signs things are beginning to click?

The midfield is a particular source of encouragement for Chelsea, where Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher are beginning to form a highly effective unit.

Levi Colwill has slotted in seamlessly in defence, Mykhailo Mudryk is starting to regain his confidence and Raheem Sterling is getting back to his best.

However, just like they were last season, Chelsea are still crying out for a reliable goalkeeper and striker. Pochettino's team remain a work in progress.

Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the permanent successor to Graham Potter in the summer. How was he received and what have you made of the job he's done in his first few months?

The timing was key for Pochettino and the way he was welcomed by the fans. If the former Tottenham boss had replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021 instead of Thomas Tuchel - something that was being lined up - the reception would have been frosty, at best.

But after a shambolic 2022/23 campaign during which four different coaches took charge of a Chelsea match - and with enough time having passed since his Spurs days - the consensus appears to be that Pochettino was just about the best possible candidate for the job.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on on Saturday?

Conor Gallagher is the new Mason Mount - a hard-working, homegrown midfielder who is underappreciated by many. Despite Chelsea's sporting directors appearing extremely open to selling him in the summer, Gallagher has quickly won the trust of Pochettino with his industry, attitude and quality.

Fernandez and Caicedo may be the headline acts in Chelsea's midfield but Gallagher is helping them to flourish.

How is Pochettino likely to set up his side?

Pochettino has settled on a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, a change that has helped Chelsea's form to improve. The switch allows Gallagher and Fernandez to operate in their preferred no.8 roles, with Caicedo as the holding midfielder.

Unlike many of his recent predecessors, Pochettino likes to operate with a more traditional no.9 that makes runs in behind the opposition. However, Cole Palmer impressed as a false nine against Arsenal amid injuries to all of Chelsea's strikers - could he continue in that role against Brentford?

Brentford have won on their last two trips to Stamford Bridge, with a goalless draw at the Gtech last October in between those two meetings. What's your score prediction for this one?

Brentford are the kind of team Chelsea have really struggled against in recent times - physical, well-organised and effective on the counter-attack.

Pochettino seems as though he is helping Chelsea to be more creative and clinical in front of goal but their record against the Bees is hugely underwhelming.

After drawing 2-2 with Arsenal on Saturday, the same score against another London rival could be in store this time round.