World champions Chelsea head into the new season with plenty of confidence and belief in what is exciting times ahead for the West Londoners.
Despite a hectic 2024/25 campaign, the Blues rallied in the final months of the season to secure their long-awaited return to the Champions League before defeating Real Betis 4-1 to lift the UEFA Conference League title.
Their success was not done there, though, as in the Club World Cup, a dramatic run to the final ended with Chelsea dismantling European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to cement themselves as Champions of the World.
Ahead of **Enzo Maresca**’s second season at the helm, the Italian will be determined to build on last season and are in an excellent place to do so. The Blues have laid down the foundations for a potential title challenge as they aim to close the gap on Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City at the top.
But one thing seems certain, though - Chelsea are very much on the up and look set for another successful campaign.
Written by Harry Day
The 2024/25 season was one of great improvement in all areas for the Blues. Under the new management of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea hit the ground running in the Premier League. They were free scoring in the early months of the league in a fantastic run that brought them within two points of league leaders Liverpool in December.
However, there would soon be a rough patch for Maresca’s side, with the first signs of this showing in the festive period with a loss at home to Fulham on Boxing Day, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town four days later. The New Year saw many months of inconsistency for the Blues, putting the prospect of Champions League football at risk.
To make things worse, there was a tough run-in awaiting Chelsea with the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest all yet to come. But the Blues turned up when it really mattered with **Pedro Neto**’s late winner at Craven Cottage being highlighted as a real turning point for the team. A goal from Levi Colwill on the final day sealed Chelsea’s place in the Champions League.
There was also success in Europe, as the Blues lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy, becoming the first team to win all three major European tournaments. They breezed through most of the competition, their biggest victory being 8-0 against Noah. The final saw their toughest test in Real Betis, one in which they passed with flying colours by winning 4-1.
Then came the Club World Cup, another memorable moment for Chelsea fans. The Blues surpassed expectations to say the least, as they emerged victorious after claiming a sensational 3-0 victory over European champions PSG. This closed out a great season for the Blues, giving fans plenty to be positive about ahead of the new season.
Transfer Activity
Written by Matt North
Chelsea's summer transfer business has been a stark contrast to the last two seasons, with just a handful of new arrivals. The Blues have strengthened in the forward line by bringing in Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich Town and Joao Pedro of Brighton for a combined fee of around £85 million.
Elsewhere, 21-year-old left-winger Jamie Gittens has arrived from Borussia Dortmund, whilst the club brought in Dutch full-back Jorrel Hato to provide cover to Marc Cucurella on the left side of defence. The West Londoners also brought in midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting CP and defender Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, having agreed to join the club last year, the Blues have confirmed the transfer of Brazilian youngster Estavao, with Ecuadorian Kendry Paez and goalkeeper Mike Penders also making their respective moves official.
In terms of outgoings, the Blues have had a mass clear out. Their biggest sale came in the form of Noni Madueke, who made the move across London to join rivals Arsenal with Kepa Arrizabalaga also moving to the Gunners, thus bringing an end to his seven-year spell at the club.
Serbian shot stopper Djordje Petrovic departed for Bournemouth whilst newly promoted Burnley brought in three Blues players in Bashir Humphreys, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja. Elsewhere, after just one season at the club, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall moved to Merseyside to join Everton.
Also leaving the club was Joao Felix, who joined Al-Nassr to link up with fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, Mathias Amougou departed for Strasbourg whilst goalkeeping duo Marcus Bettinelli and Lucas Bergstrom signed for Manchester City and Real Mallorca respectively.
One to Watch: Estevao
Written by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere
The Club World Cup gave us a sneak peek of what to expect from two of the summer signings for the Blues. João Pedro was more of a known quantity from Brighton, and he spearheaded the side to the trophy in his first three games for the team. Could his compatriot make a similar impact for the club?
Chelsea agreed a deal for £29 million to acquire the services of Estevao from Palmeiras last May, but he would not move to West London until this summer. The fans will hope he is worth the wait. Though the teenager only turned 18 in April, he has been one of the brightest lights for the Verdão.
He has an explosive finish from the right wing, but his speed, runs, and dribbling from the left flank could also offer a different option to Jamie Gittens on that side of the pitch. Indeed, one of the most fascinating aspects of this transfer is not the player so much as where he will get minutes on the field.
Noni Madueke has moved to Arsenal, but the best of Cole Palmer appears to come from a free role, cutting in from the right. If Xavi Simons switches allegiances to West London and Enzo Fernandez continues to be a box crasher, it will be a tough task for Maresca to manage all his offensive options.
The teenager may need time to adapt to the physicality of the English game. But his quality is clear, and if there is a clear plan of integration, he should add some more Samba skill to a stacked squad.
Strongest Starting XI
Written by Sam Leah
Providing Chelsea don’t sign an additional goalkeeper this summer, Robert Sanchez should retain his spot between the sticks after a positive end to the 2024/25 season.
Following a cruciate ligament injury to key centre-half Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to partner Trevoh Chalobah in the centre of defence alongside full-backs Marc Cucurella and club captain Reece James.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are expected to form the midfield pivot, with Cole Palmer in the playmaker role.
In attack, new signing Jamie Gittens will be hoping to take hold of the left-wing position following the departure of Noni Madueke, with the in-form Pedro Neto occupying the opposite flank.
With Nicolas Jackson set to leave, new recruit Joao Pedro, who shone at the recent Club World Cup, should complete the lineup as the starting number nine but will need to contend with 22-year-old Liam Delap, who joined in the summer from Ipswich Town.
Starting XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro
How will Chelsea set up tactically?
Written by Spiro Paskou
Firstly, it is important to address the elephant in the room, which is that Enzo Maresca and the Blues have prioritised signing versatile players who can play in a plethora of different positions.
When looking at how flexible and adaptable Chelsea’s squad is on paper, it is clear to understand that the Italian manager will interchange his players and give them an opportunity to play in a variety of different systems during any given match.
The 45-year-old wants to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, dominate possession, and turn defence into attack in a flash. Maresca’s methodology is to play through the lines and give his creative players the space and freedom that they need to put the opposing defences under the cosh.
For his system to work like a charm and to a tee, the tactical mastermind demands that his midfielders must be very comfortable in tight spaces.
The midfield is a crucial aspect of the former Leicester City manager’s system on the ball because they must invite their opponents towards them and beat the high press. This will open the pitch and allow the wingers like Estevao, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens to showcase their skills and isolate the other team’s full-backs in one-on-one situations.
The Chelsea supporters already got a glimpse and a taste of what this upcoming season has in store in their pre-season games against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, respectively.
During both matches, the Blues were in the ascendancy; they played an electric/fluid style of football and didn’t give their opponents any time or space to breathe when they had possession.
Maresca ball is working in its full effect, and a lot of players are in their element. From the outside looking in, it’s as clear as crystal to see that every player, including the new signings, has understood their roles and they are executing them to perfection at this current moment.
Season Expectations
Written by Vikram Jajuha
Chelsea's expectations going into the new 2025/26 campaign will be hugely intriguing, considering the additions made in the summer window.
Last season saw Enzo Maresca's side finish in the top four, and no doubt the club will be expecting the same result in the league this season as a minimum. Talks of a title challenge may be too soon - but Chelsea's strength in depth, let alone the culture around the club, may well prove otherwise.
Champions League nights are back at Stamford Bridge and the Blues will certainly fancy their chances of going deep into the competition, having beat the current Champions League holders PSG in the Club World Cup final. Chelsea won't fear any opponent, and understandably so considering the strength in depth at Maresca's disposal.
A run to the semi-finals would certainly appease to the Stamford Bridge faithful - although going the whole way wouldn't necessarily be an unrealistic expectation either.
A day out at Wembley has been the norm for Chelsea fans most season’s, although winning at Wembley in recent years has been scarce. Fans remain eager to finally see the FA/Carabao Cup curse come to an end, and next season may finally be the year for Chelsea's fortunes to change in that regard.
In essence, many will expect to see Maresca's side become a tactically dominant team, producing performances and results of consistency. A push for the league title, a deep run into the Champions League and a cup win (or both) would mark a good season.