If Chelsea can win the Club World Cup this weekend, they should go into the 2025/26 season with an extra spring in their step.
Chelsea are gearing up to face Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in the final of the Club World Cup.
It’s the last match of a long and eventful debut campaign for Enzo Maresca as the Blues head coach, which included a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and the Conference League trophy. It would be great to wrap it up in a few days by causing an upset against PSG.
Chelsea will ultimately be judged by their league form. While they did finish fourth in Maresca’s first year, they had to sneak into the Champions League spots on the final day.
Danny Murphy doesn’t expect Chelsea to be in a title race when it comes to next season, but many fans must feel the young squad are moving in the right direction and things are starting to click into place.
Enzo Maresca looks on during SE Palmeiras v Chelsea FC: Quarter Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
John Terry doubts Chelsea are ready for Premier League title
Even though Chelsea legend John Terry has spoken very positively about the state of his former club, he admits that it might be too much to expect them to be in a Premier League title race next term.
When asked how the Blues will do next season, Terry told talkSPORT: “We’ve got a really good young squad. I know the famous saying: you can’t win anything with young players; you need a bit of experience. I do think we just need a little bit of experience, whether that’s in goal or whether that’s an old centre-back just to guide the players a little bit on the pitch as well.
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“In terms of talent and what the owners are doing, I love the idea of it. I’m not sure it goes and wins you a Premier League. I personally feel Manchester City and Liverpool are probably too strong at the moment, but we could come off the back of this (Club World Cup) and start the season really well.”
Back in December 2024, Jamie Carragher insisted Chelsea were in a Premier League title race because they were just two points behind leaders and eventual champions Liverpool nearly halfway through the season. What followed was a huge dip that led to Maresca’s young side fighting just to get into the Champions League.
John Obi Mikel argued Chelsea can compete for the league title if they sign a top striker and a quality goalkeeper.
This summer, the Blues have reinforced their attack with the exciting additions of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. There is no sign of a new goalkeeper joining the club yet, though.
We would argue that Chelsea will have a very tough job trying to finish above each of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal next season.
Chelsea and England legend John Terry at Baller League.
Photo by Jordan Peck/Getty Images
Chelsea should start the 2025/26 season quickly in the Premier League
There is an uncertainty around how Chelsea will fare in the early weeks of next season after a month’s worth of competitive action during the summer.
However, the Blues should be eyeing their first five games in the Premier League and planning a strong start to get around the upper end of the division in the opening month.
Without a doubt, Maresca should have credit in the bank with supporters because his first year has turned out to be a positive one. It could definitely be an exciting time at Stamford Bridge if the team gets a healthy points return to start next season.
Chelsea assistant manager Willy Caballero claims Maresca’s attention to detail is brilliant, and it does feel like he could do something quite special in West London.