Guardian writers' predicted place: 4th (NB: this isn't essentially Michael Butler's prediction however the common of our writers' ideas)
Final season's place: 4th
Prospects
Securing Champions League qualification on the final day of the Premier League season and an unlikely Membership World Cup triumph have remodeled the membership, their funds and ambitions for 2025-26. Chelsea stayed comparatively beneath the radar for a lot of the Membership World Cup – partially due to their comparatively form path to the later phases – however their commanding 3-0 victory in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain within the remaining means they're once more thought to be a doubtlessly dominant European drive and even perhaps as contenders for the Premier League title.
That's if Chelsea are prepared – mentally, bodily and tactically – for the brand new season. By the point Chelsea performed the Membership World Cup remaining on 13 July, almost each different Premier League aspect had began their pre-season. Since then, whereas Liverpool, Arsenal and co have been laborious at work, the gamers have had three weeks off and returned on Monday, with two pleasant matches, two days aside, scheduled earlier than their Premier League opener in opposition to Crystal Palace on 17 August. To say Chelsea are enjoying catch-up is a extreme understatement.
That mentioned, that is most likely essentially the most thrilling interval for Chelsea for the reason that Champions League triumph in 2021. Excluding goalkeeper and presumably centre-back, Enzo Maresca has a declare to having two elite gamers in each place and he may but add additional depth with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho closely linked. Departures shall be wanted to trim the fats and steadiness the books – Chelsea got a €31m (£27m) high-quality final month by Uefa for breaking monetary guidelines – however few would argue in opposition to them having the deepest squad within the league and one in every of Maresca's largest challenges shall be sustaining concord and continuity, on and off the pitch. Final season, the Convention League was a helpful likelihood to relaxation and rotate gamers. The Champions League is not going to be so accommodating.
The supervisor
As not too long ago as April, Maresca was at odds with the Chelsea followers and appeared guilty a adverse atmosphere at Stamford Bridge for a 2-2 house draw with Ipswich that left top-five hopes fading quick. However 5 wins from the ultimate six league video games secured fourth place, saving Chelsea's season and presumably Maresca's job. “They have been saying that we're too younger, we aren't adequate,” he mentioned. “Sadly for them, they've all been flawed. So in English, how do you say? Eff-off to all of them.” Chelsea's Membership World Cup triumph – and the tactical masterclass by Maresca within the remaining to neutralise PSG's entrance three and create pockets of house for Cole Palmer – means he'll get a really completely different reception at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's league opener.
Off-field image
Chelsea's much-maligned monetary gymnastics of latest years – the eight-year contract amortisation (a loophole closed by Uefa), the sale of their massively profitable ladies's group (to their very own mum or dad firm) and their rampant use of multiclub possession and the mortgage system – have infuriated rivals and allowed them to assemble one of many deepest, youngest, most proficient squads round. Within the Todd Boehly period, Chelsea have spent greater than £1.5bn and the membership face a further €60m high-quality from Uefa in the event that they fail to adjust to laws over the subsequent 4 years. A much bigger stadium would assist, however what Chelsea do with Stamford Bridge stays unclear; the 40,044-capacity floor isn't simply developed given challenges starting from the freehold to a close-by railway line. A transfer to Earl's Courtroom has been mooted.
after publication promotion
Star signing
Estêvão was courted by PSG, Actual Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and is broadly thought to be the largest expertise to return out of Brazil since Vinícius Júnior. The 18-year-old's performances on the Membership World Cup – together with a brilliant strike for Palmeiras against Chelsea within the quarter-final – means that the summer season arrival is already world class. Gamers swooned over {the teenager} on the remaining whistle in Philadelphia – “I advised Estêvão: ‘We're excited so that you can be part of' however he didn't perceive a single phrase I mentioned,” Palmer mentioned after swapping shirts with the £52m signing. Succesful off each wings or as a No 10, the slender Estêvão will wish to impress the previous Chelsea supervisor Carlo Ancelotti, now of Brazil, earlier than the World Cup subsequent summer season.
Stepping up
“He doubtlessly generally is a high defender for this membership,” Maresca mentioned of Josh Acheampong after the defender's performances on the Membership World Cup prompted whispers that a number of golf equipment in England and Europe have been monitoring {the teenager}. How the 19-year-old matches into Maresca's plans stays to be seen, however his versatility, 6ft 3in stature and composure enabled him to take pleasure in a breakthrough yr with 13 first-team appearances. Naturally a right-back or a centre-back however able to enjoying wherever throughout the backline, Acheampong joined Chelsea as an under-eight and signed a brand new five-year contract in 2024. “The golf equipment that have been talked about, they like Josh, however we additionally like Josh,” Maresca mentioned. “The most effective plan for Josh is to be with us.”
An enormous season for …
Roméo Lavia. The 21-year-old's high quality isn't in query. Chelsea are a greater aspect with Lavia, extra fluid and press-resistant, and he was sensational in a 3-1 win in opposition to Liverpool in Could when he accomplished 100% of his passes. Maresca even moved Moisés Caicedo to right-back to accommodate Lavia alongside Enzo Fernández on the again finish of final season, however issues stay over the Belgian's health. After a primary yr when he managed 32 minutes in 2023-24, one other injury-hit marketing campaign adopted, beginning 11 league video games. One other yr on the sidelines may spell hassle, notably as Chelsea have Caicedo, Fernández, Dário Essugo, the spectacular Andrey Santos and maybe Reece James competing for 2 spots in defensive midfield in Maresca's most well-liked 4-2-3-1 formation.
