Predicted Chelsea Line-up for the 2025/26 Season

Fresh from being crowned as Club World Cup champions and lifting the Conference League trophy, the mood around Stamford Bridge is very optimistic to say the least. Chelsea’s expectations have soared under Enzo Maresca’s leadership after a trophy-laden spell and a successful European adventure last season. With silverware in the cabinet and a wave of new signings strengthening the squad, Chelsea enter the 2025/26 season as a resurgent force eager to win their first Premier League title in 9 years. Here’s a detailed preview of what Chelsea fans can look forward to in this new chapter.

Chelsea’s Transfer Signings & Rumours

Chelsea’s summer transfer window has been nothing short of a statement. The club’s transfers this time around kicked off in explosive fashion with Joao Pedro, snapped up from Brighton for £55million. Pedro has already made waves at the Club World Cup with crucial goals and clever movement. He promises to be the new attacking centrepoint and is equally comfortable leading the line or threading passes as a No.10. Matching that ambition on the wings, Chelsea landed Estevao Willian, the 18-year-old Brazilian talent from Palmeiras. Commanding a fee rising to £52million, Estevao, tipped as the new Vinicius Junior, could be the next big thing from Brazil. Further up front, Liam Delap’s arrival from Ipswich Town, following a remarkable breakout season, sees him entrusted with the legendary No. 9 shirt. Reinforcements didn’t stop there. Dario Essugo, whose star rose rapidly in La Liga with Las Palmas, arrives from Sporting for £18.5million to inject drive and steel into the Blues’ engine room. Completing the South American pipeline, Ecuadorian starlet Kendry Paez, now old enough to join after a £17.3million deal, looks set for further development on loan in Strasbourg. Between the posts, Belgian prodigy Mike Penders joins from Genk after a superb campaign, and will compete fiercely with Robert Sanchez to become the first-choice goalkeeper. At the back, Strasbourg’s highly-rated Mamadou Sarr, equally comfortable across defensive roles, ensures Chelsea have versatility and stability for seasons. With ongoing negotiations for top talents like Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig) and Ajax’s Jorrel Hato still in play, Chelsea’s transfer machine shows no signs of slowing. Meanwhile, departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, and a host of loanees on the periphery have cleared some space.

Chelsea’s Predicted Starting XI

Maresca’s Chelsea love having the ball. Inspired by Guardiola’s brand of football. Chelsea’s base shape is a 4-3-3, but once they have the ball, they shift into a 3-2-5. One full-back drops into midfield, creating a numerical edge in tight spaces, while the other stays high to stretch play. The team methodically works through midfield, rotating positions until a gap opens, then they burst down the wings with quick passes and angled runs. Defensively, Chelsea press in blocks: the attackers squeeze the defenders, forcing errors, and when they win the ball, the whole squad surges forward instantly. Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez Right-back: Reece James (captain) Centre-back: Levi Colwill Centre-back: Benoît Badiashile Left-back: Marc Cucurella Defensive midfield: Moises Caicedo Deep-lying midfield: Enzo Fernandez Attacking midfield: Xavi Simons (if signed) Right wing: Cole Palmer Left wing: Pedro Neto Centre-forward: Joao Pedro

Chelsea Squad Depth and Rotation

Chelsea’s squad depth for 2025/26 is among Europe’s finest. Between the posts, Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders headline a trio of quality goalkeepers, with further competition from Filip Jorgensen. The backline is stacked not just with established stars like Reece James, Levi Colwill, Benoît Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella but also with dynamic options such as Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, Alfie Gilchrist and more. Chelsea’s midfield consists of a blend of world-class talent, energy, and technically gifted players like, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Andrey Santos, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with the promise of even more should players like Xavi Simons join. The attacking options are just as deep and dangerous. Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Christopher Nkunku are all capable of both creativity and goals. They are joined by Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu, giving Maresca every weapon imaginable to rotate.

Conclusion

Could this be Chelsea’s year? With fresh ideas from Maresca, proven winners in the dressing room, and stars everywhere you look, the Blues are set to give it a good go.