The Blues had a decent campaign last term, finishing fourth in the Premier League. Given they were sixth in 2023/24 and 12th the year before that, and have only finished higher than fourth twice since 2016/17 (and then only third), that has to be viewed positively. In addition, they won the Europa Conference League. Whilst that is a competition they will hope never to play in again – and next term they will of course return to the Champions League – no silverware is bad silverware.
In winning the Conference League the Blues also became the first club to win all five of UEFA’s major competitions. They are the only side in history to have won the senior men’s Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the no longer extant Cup Winners’ Cup. Being the first to complete the set is a piece of history that nobody can take away from them and there is every chance no other club will match that feat too.
How one views the 2024/25 campaign depends on a number of things but for us, it was a solid B grade. The question is, can Chelsea improve in the season due to start in August 2025? And what are realistic hopes, aims, dreams and goals for the club?
Chelsea Active in Market
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It will surprise nobody who has been paying any attention to Chelsea’s strategy in the transfer market over the past few years to learn that the club have been active early in the window. The summer window is a little different this year in the Premier League, due to the Club World Cup, but in the first part of it, which ran from the 1st to the 10th of June, Chelsea have already signed a number of players.
Liam Delap is perhaps the highest-profile addition, joining from Ipswich for a bargain sum of £30m due to a relegation-reduced release clause. The former Man City striker is just 22 and will provide another option up front, though he is one for the future as much as anything.
Chelsea also welcome 18-year-old Brazilian Estevao, the deal having been agreed last June, with the amazing attacker, predominantly a right-sided winger, joining this summer. Despite his tender years, he has already played for the senior Brazil team five times and hopes are very high for the former Palmeiras man. Of players born in 2007(!), only Lamine Yamal and his Barca teammate Pau Cubarsi are believed to be worth more than Chelsea’s new man, who the club signed for a relatively bargain sum of around £30m (though with potential add-ons of another £20m).
The Blues have brought in other exciting youngsters too but until the transfer window is shut, it is hard to assess exactly what the club should be aiming for in 2025/26. We can guarantee that there will be more incomings, with a top-class striker and centre back thought to be priorities. But Enzo Maresca already has a wealth of talent at his disposal and his young squad should improve for the experience last season.
Still Too Early for a Premier League Title
It’s time to get to work. 😤 pic.twitter.com/VmmH3MbbTO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 14, 2025
Unfortunately we have to feel that Chelsea are not quite ready for a tilt at the title. Timing is so important in life and last year might have been a better chance in some senses, with Man City in transition and Liverpool, good as they were, only able to muster 84 points. The season ahead will see Rodri return for Pep Guardiola, and City will surely not be as bad as they were.
Arne Slot has had a season to settle into the role and Liverpool could pull off a sensational window if they add Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez to the already-acquired Jeremie Frimpong. There is even talk of them recruiting PSG’s Bradley Barcola and if they can pull all of that off they will take some stopping.
Chelsea just don’t quite seem ready to compete against those more established sides and still have so many young players and not quite enough experience. Painful as it is to admit, in some senses, if the club could finish third, and seriously improve their points tally of last term (69), that would represent a good season in our opinion.
Maresca and co are also not going to be helped by their involvement in the Club World Cup this summer. City will also be heading to the USA, whilst both Arsenal and Liverpool will be enjoying rest, recuperation and then a perfect pre-season. It is hard to see these extra games, as many as seven, not having an impact in terms of injuries and/or fatigue.
More Silverware a Bonus
Since Roman Abramovich took over the club, few seasons have passed without Chelsea adding to their collection of silverware. The period from 2004/05 to 2020/21 saw the Blues win a host of trophies: five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues and two Europa Leagues, to be exact. That is why it hurts to admit that finishing third would be a decent season.
Since winning the 2021 Champions League title success has been harder to come by. Aside from the following campaign’s UEFA Super Cup, the Conference League is all that has been won since. As such, if the Blues could win a trophy in 2025/26, that would be a major bonus.
It is often said that going over the line the first time, in any competition, is the hardest. If there is truth in that, then the club’s success in the Europa Conference League could well help Maresca’s young group. If they could land the League Cup or the FA Cup this term that would certainly add to that and give them more experience of winning. That could well set them up for a real tilt at the Premier League in 2026/27.
There is also, of course, the Champions League to play for next term. Anything can happen in a competition like that, and the Blues have perhaps in the past been the best team in Europe (under Jose Mourinho for example), and not won it. And more recently they have been arguably nowhere near the best and yet triumphed (i.e. 2020/21).
Chelsea could win the UCL but they would need a healthy slice of luck and a kind draw we feel. If they could enjoy a solid run that would be great experience but in truth, right now, the quarter finals is probably about their level. So, third place, quarters of the Champions League and winning the FA Cup… doesn’t sound too bad does it?