How new-look Chelsea squad are ready to take next step as Enzo Maresca prepares to add to trophy haul
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Updated 30/07/2025 at 10:32 GMT+1
After their recent years of instability, Chelsea are on a mission. The Blues are back in the UEFA Champions League and having secured two trophies in a matter of months, Enzo Maresca's side are now ready to launch an assault on the Premier League title, putting all the jokes about their squad and spending to one side, and making sure they have the last laugh.
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A period of change and uncertainty at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end as the Blues prepare for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Following their second UEFA Champions League success in 2021, a change in ownership a year later saw the club struggle for consistency, missing out on qualification for Europe's top competition two seasons in a row.
Under the ownership of the BlueCo, Chelsea's spending has come under the spotlight, with the consortium splashing out well in excess of £1 billion since their arrival, and the squad at times looking somewhat bloated.
The club also went through a series of managerial changes over this period, finally landing on Enzo Maresca last summer - but the Italian has proved to be an inspired appointment.
The 2024/25 campaign saw the Blues seal their return to the UEFA Champions League, as well as lift a first piece of silverware in four years, winning the UEFA Conference League in May.
The Blues then went to the United States and won the first incarnation of the new FIFA Club World Cup, beating European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
With some big signings already this summer, fringe players allowed to leave and a strong core of young talent, the team is looking ready to add to the trophy cabinet once again this season, and will have an eye on the big prizes like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
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Goalkeeper
- Robert Sanchez
- Filip Jorgensen
- Gaga Slonina
Linked with: Mike Maignan
The Blues began the summer eyeing a new man between the sticks and were close to signing AC Milan stopper Maignan ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, but a deal could not be agreed in time.
Current No. 1 Sanchez then produced an inspired performance during the tournament, in particular against Paris Saint-Germain in the final in New Jersey, to remind Chelsea why they bought him from Brighton in the first place.
It remains to be seen if The Blues will revisit their pursuit of Maignan before the window closes.
| Goalkeeper |
| Robert Sanchez |
| Filip Jorgensen |
| Gabriel Slonina |
| Mike Maignan* |
*Rumoured signing
Defence
- Marc Cucurella
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Benoit Badiashile
- Levi Colwill
- Mamadou Sarr
- Trevoh Chalobah
- Reece James
- Malo Gusto
- Wesley Fofana
- Axel Disasi
- Renato Veiga
- Aaron Anselmino
- Josh Acheampong
- Alfie Gilchrist
Linked with: Jorrel Hato
The Blues are likely to start the season with Chalobah and Colwill at the heart of their defence but have several options to fill in at centre-back if and when Maresca chooses to rotate in this area over the season, although new signing Sarr could well go out on loan.
At right-back, many will consider James the strongest option but the England international is likely to be deployed at the base of midfield, meaning Gusto will be first-choice, with several others again capable of filling in.
Despite having Cucurella at left-back, this might be one area Chelsea are still light, which is why the club are are pushing to bring in Ajax youngster Hato.
| Centre-back | Right-back | Left-back |
| Tosin Adarabioyo | Reece James | Marc Cucurella |
| Benoit Badiashile | Trevoh Chalobah | Levi Colwill |
| Levi Colwill | Malo Gusto | Malo Gusto |
| Mamadou Sarr | Wesley Fofana | Ben Chilwell |
| Trevoh Chalobah | Josh Acheampong | Jorrel Hato* |
| Wesley Fofana | Alfie Gilchrist | |
| Axel Disasi | ||
| Renato Veiga | ||
| Aaron Anselmino |
*Rumoured signing
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Maresca insists 'huge talent' Estevao will be 'very important player' for Chelsea
Video credit: SNTV
Midfield
- Enzo Fernandez
- Dario Essugo
- Andrey Santos
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Moises Caicedo
- Omari Kellyman
- Romeo Lavia
- Kendry Paez
- Cole Palmer
- Reece James
Linked with: Xavi Simons
It will be impossible to look beyond Palmer as Chelsea's primary attacking midfielder, and while Fernandez can also play here if needed, the relatively young and/or inexperienced back-ups here could see the club remain active in the transfer market before deadline day in August.
Christopher Nkunku's future remains unclear, but remains an option as long as he's at the club.
The Blues have been heavily linked with RB Leipzig star Simons, who can also be deployed further up the pitch.
The base of midfield sees Maresca able to call upon Caicedo, Fernandez and James, while Lavia will hope to put his injury issues behind him and feature more regularly this season. New arrival Essugo will also look to make an impression.
| Central midfield | Attacking centre-midfield |
| Enzo Fernandez | Cole Palmer |
| Moises Caicedo | Christopher Nkunku |
| Reece James | Carney Chukwuemeka |
| Romeo Lavia | Omari Kellyman |
| Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall | Kendry Paez |
| Darios Essugo | Xavi Simons* |
| Andrey Santos |
*Rumoured signing
Wide forwards
- Pedro Neto
- Tyrique George
- Jamie Gittens
- Mykhailo Mudryk
- Cole Palmer
- Estevao
- Raheem Sterling
Linked with: Xavi Simons
Chelsea look frighteningly strong on both flanks with the signing of Gittens looking like another potent ingredient in a pot already containing Neto, who starred during the recent FIFA Club World Cup success.
Maresca can and has also used Palmer on the right and the pursuit of Simons could add another lethal option on both sides.
Youngster George will be at the next stage of his development which could see him go out on loan, while there is a lot of excitement around Estevao and what the Brazilian will bring to Stamford Bridge.
| Right wing | Left wing |
| Pedro Neto | Jamie Gittens |
| Cole Palmer | Pedro Neto |
| Estevao | Tyrique George |
| Raheem Sterling | Mykhailo Mudryk |
| Xavi Simons* | Xavi Simons* |
*Rumoured signing
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Highlights: Palmer inspires turnaround as Chelsea create European history
Video credit: TNT Sports
Striker
- Liam Delap
- Nicolas Jackson
- Joao Pedro
- Marc Guiu
- Christopher Nkunku
Despite a respectable 30 goals in his two years at the club, there have been question marks over Jackson as the leading frontman who will help Chelsea achieve their ambitions.
As such, the club has moved to recruit Pedro and Delap from Brighton and Ipswich respectively to bolster their forward options, with both already finding the back of the net at the FIFA Club World Cup.
| Striker |
| Joao Pedro |
| Nicolas Jackson |
| Liam Delap |
| Marc Guiu |
| Christopher Nkunku |
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