The new Football Manager 26 game was released on Tuesday, and Chelsea fans now have the chance to perform the role of Enzo Maresca themselves.
The promising young squad built by Todd Boehly is available for selection from the start, and Blues fans will not have to worry about navigating the latter stages of the Club World Cup.
After the luxurious spending over the years, Chelsea’s transfer budget does not start off very high. Managers will only have around £16m to play with.
However, the opportunity is there to part ways with any of the first team squad they desire, as well as cash in on some clauses owed to the club for transfers such as Christopher Nkunku, Mateo Kovacic and Joao Felix.
Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
If you want to completely rewrite history, the opportunity is there to reintegrate Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi into the first team squad, adding some instant experience to the young squad.
One of the biggest bonuses for Chelsea fans though is the crippling injury pandemic that has struck the first team squad is nowhere near as bad in the game.
Levi Colwill’s ACL injury remains an unfortunate hurdle to clear, however issues that have impacted Liam Delap and Cole Palmer since the campaign got underway are nowhere to be seen.
A number of young players who are slowly earning their minutes at Stamford Bridge can also be thrown in straight away by managers. Jorrel Hato starts the game not too far behind Marc Cucurella, and Estevao Willian is already as good an option as Pedro Neto.
As well as the promising young talents, there are a number of individuals who are already near the top of their game.
Palmer is the star of the show in the attacking midfield role, and with the new roles on the game he can be handed a ‘free role’ to do as he pleases.
Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Moises Caicedo are also top performers in the side, and should be some of the first names on any Chelsea fan’s teamsheet.
The Chelsea Academy in #FM26 is simply full of absolute ballers! 😍
Two new players officially signed by Chelsea today – Riley Ebho & Jashayde Greenwood – 💎 pic.twitter.com/vtzdG3dIMZ
— Passion4FM (@Passion4FM) October 13, 2025
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For managers who are in for the long haul, there a number of promising youngsters currently on loan who are waiting for their chance at Stamford Bridge.
Geovany Quenda headlines this list, however Blues fans should also be excited about the futures of Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr when the trio return from their loans at Strasbourg.
Chelsea have been accused of building their squad as if they are playing a video game in the past, however supporters should be really excited about the prospect of actually doing so in the new Football Manager game.