2025 will be remembered as a historic year for Chelsea, but maybe not so much in the Premier League.
This time last year, the Blues were right in the mix with Liverpool and Arsenal for title contention, but there was a drop-off after Christmas that made Champions League qualification the most Chelsea could hope for last season.
This campaign is just as tight at the top as it was 12 months ago, but Chelsea are slightly off the pace, seven points adrift from the leading pack.
Can Chelsea win the Premier League title this season?
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When you look at the calendar year alone, it doesn’t paint the most impressive picture, but there’s reason for those at Stamford Bridge to be encouraged.
Chelsea fifth in 2025 Premier League table
Once the title charge lost steam in January, the rest of Chelsea’s campaign was a case of keeping pace with European contenders, and that goal was accomplished.
What’s discouraging is that Enzo Maresca’s side haven’t made up ground this season.
In particular, seeing Aston Villa ten points ahead just should not be the case. It’s a brilliant Unai Emery side, but one with less resources and less expectations, and they finished sixth last season.
Team Games Points
1. Man City 36 77
2. Arsenal 37 77
3. Aston Villa 36 73
4. Liverpool 37 68
5. Chelsea 36 63
That deficit can be cut before New Year’s Day when Chelsea host Villa in a massive Premier League clash.
If they can’t assert themselves ahead of the Villans, that’s a problem.
Further ahead, seeing Man City at the top is crazy given the narrative that has surrounded the club over that span. There’s another team here, though, whose position is even stranger.
Two of England’s brightest young stars going head-to-head 🙌
Thoughts on Morgan Rogers this season?
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer during Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
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Chelsea can take encouragement from Liverpool ahead of them
What’s most surprising from the top end of the table is where reigning Premier League champions Liverpool are positioned.
They have just five more points than Chelsea in 2025, having played an extra game.
What that says is that fortunes can change fast. The Reds have not been on top of their game for much of the last two seasons, but a strong run of results can be the difference in a title race.
It suggests that, while Chelsea are a ways off the top, the second half of the season could swing the pendulum back in their favour, like Liverpool’s first half of last season.
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