Projected Chelsea Squad - Josh Acheampong pictured advancing with the ball from defense
Projected Chelsea Squad - Josh Acheampong pictured advancing with the ball from defense
With just days to go until the Premier League campaign kicks off, this is our last projected Chelsea squad for 2026/27. With the pre-season friendlies played and a seperate group of outgoings training alone, there is a clear separation between the preferred squad and those who will be moved on before the transfer window slams shut. We’ll be going through each area of the squad for this one by one.
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Current Projected Chelsea Squad for 2026/27 Premier League Campaign
Goalkeeper
The main two in this department are Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders. The former kept the number 1 shirt in the official number announcement while the Belgian youngster got the number 39. There were two others who got numbers in Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Gaga Slonina.
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Sharman-Lowe counts as homegrown and played significiant minutes early in pre-season while it was Slonina called to the bench against Real Sociedad. The likelihood is the homegrown one gets the nod for squad registration rules.
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez, Mike Penders, Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Defenders
Tosin Adarabioyo was featured in pre-season and looked to have a place in the squad in the upcoming campaign but he has since been stuck with the second group. His dismal performances have seen him fall out of the centre-back rotation but a move will have to come together for him.
Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, and Jorrel Hato remain as the primary centre-back options. Marco Palestra, Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Pep Chavarria round out as the full back or wing back options.
Defenders: Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Achrampong, Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Pep Chavarria
Midfield
The one area with the most question marks around it was the middle of the park as Enzo Fernandez was subject to a transger saga for some time. Most recent reports indicate that Manchester City won’t meet his asking price with Manu Kone picked out as a potential succession plan, which would see the Argentine stay.
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Moises Caciedo, Romeo Lavia, and James were the other midfielders used against Sociedad with pre-season regular Dario Essugo left in the cold. Valentin Barco was on the bench but unused while Jordan Henderson continues to be eased in.
There are no credible reports linking Essugo with an exit but his absence from the most recent squad indicates he could be on the outside looking in.
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, Reece James (emergency option)
Attackers
Some decisions made with the secondary training group have provided some clarity on the overstocked attacking core at Chelsea. Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are the two headline grabbing names that are training away from the main squad, with Mykhailo Mudryk also there as he likely prepares for a loan.
The guaranteed starters are Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro. Danny Welbeck, Estevao, Geovany Quenda, and Jamie Gittens are the likely rotation options. Some are staying to provide flexibility between the wing-back system and just wingers as Xabi Alonso utilised both in pre-season.
Emmanuel Emegha appears to have won the honor of being the third-option striker with the former Strasbourg man missing pre-season due to injury. He could stay as the back up when Welbeck and Pedro both need to rest but likely won’t start much outside the cup competitions.
Attackers: Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, Danny Welbeck, Estevao, Geovany Quenda, Jamie Gittens, Emmanuel Emegha
Projected Chelsea Squad for 2026/27 Premier League
Rob Sanchez
Mike Penders
Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Maxence Lacroix
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Josh Acheampong (U21 not registered)
Jorrel Hato
Marco Palestra
Malo Gusto
Reece James
Pep Chavarria
Moises Caicedo
Enzo Fernandez
Romeo Lavia
Valentin Barco
Jordan Henderson
Pedro Neto
Cole Palmer
Morgan Rogers
Joao Pedro
Danny Welbeck
Estevao
Geovany Quenda
Jamie Gittens
Emmanuel Emegha
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IMAGO / Pro Sports Images