Football Manager 26 is now just a week away from being released, and Chelsea fans should be really excited about the talent of players they will have at their disposal in the game.
After FM25 was eventually cancelled, Blues supporters didn’t get the chance to use an updated Cole Palmer or Moises Caicedo that would reflect their abilities in real life.
As Enzo Maresca struggles to get the best out of his Chelsea players, fans will soon be able to play the role of Maresca and Todd Boehly, and build the side they have been begging to see on the pitch themselves.
The good work done in the transfer market by the club in recent years though has set them up to already enjoy a very strong squad for years to come.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrates beating Ajax in the Champions League.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
The Chelsea Chronicle has labelled the potential XI Blues fans can use that will be the best in the world in just a few seasons’ time.
There’ll be no more Robert Sanchez causing headaches for Chelsea supporters, and instead users can bed in Mike Penders to the starting side when his loan at Strasbourg comes to an end.
It will be very difficult to sign an upgrade for Reece James at right-back, and after nearly a year without an injury he is finally looking like a long-term solution again.
The Blues have both Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino coming through, however we’re backing Wesley Fofana for a place in the starting XI.
He will be partnered by Levi Colwill on the left of the two. Ironically, Fofana and Colwill is Maresca’s favourite centre-back pairing at the club too.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella will be the older statesman of the side, however will have Jorrel Hato waiting in the wings ready to step in.
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The midfield will pick itself in a similar way to how it does for the real manager. Moises Caicedo will remain one of the first names on the teamsheet.
He will be partnered by Enzo Fernandez, as the likes of Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos will leave budding managers not needing to touch the midfield too much when they take over.
Ahead of those two, Chelsea fans will have the chance to unlock the Ballon d’Or potential of Cole Palmer in the creative attacking role.
Estevao Willian celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Ajax in the Champions League.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
On the right, Estevao Willian can hold off the rotation that he is dealing with in real life and become a regular in the starting side.
The opposite wing is arguably the position in the current Chelsea squad which isn’t nailed down in real life, however Blues fans can utilise Geovany Quenda from the second season, after his impending move from Sporting is made official.
Up front, we’re going with Liam Delap to lead the line, although fans can look to Joao Pedro or Emanuel Emegha for other options based on the upcoming opponents.
Potential Chelsea XI on FM26