Following a whirlwind couple of seasons filled with hefty spending, managerial shifts, and missed expectations, Chelsea seems to have finally found its footing under the Clearlake-Boehly leadership with Enzo Maresca steering the ship.
The club is back in the race for European spots, but given the massive financial investments they’ve made, those expenses need to eventually pay off with trophies and consistent top-four league finishes.
If you’re looking for expert sports insights, including football tips from seasoned analysts across the UK, don’t forget to check out FIRST.com. They also cover tennis, darts, and more.
A Look at the Premier League Journey So Far
It may sound odd, but for a squad nearing the £2 billion mark in value, Chelsea came into the season as somewhat of a mystery. Opinions varied widely on where they’d land by season’s end in the 2024/25 campaign.
As the previous season wound down, Mauricio Pochettino appeared to have pulled things together. Yet his summer departure raised fresh doubts about the competence of the current ownership group.
Maresca’s hire from Leicester was initially seen as a genius move, especially with Chelsea’s nine-game unbeaten streak following a setback against Liverpool. By Christmas, they were just four points shy of the league’s top spot.
However, after a defeat to Fulham, inconsistency set in. They’ve only secured victory in four of their nine league matches in 2025, two of which came against teams like Southampton and Leicester who are fighting relegation.
A dip in performance from key player Cole Palmer hasn’t helped. The English talent isn’t holding his early-season form, managing just one goal so far this year, a stat that seemed unimaginable at the beginning of 2025.
Further compounding their woes is a goalkeeper dilemma, with neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen nailing down the role, creating a vulnerability that opponents look to exploit.
The hopeful return of Reece James might just be the boost needed for a more stable form, possibly pushing Chelsea back into the extended Champions League qualifying spots.
Can Chelsea Meet Their Conference League Goals?
The much-discussed European competition has proven to be a playground for Chelsea’s diverse squad. Maresca’s been leveraging it to give game time to fringe players and promising youngsters like Tyrique George.
Despite an unexpected loss to Servette in the playoff second leg, Chelsea has upheld their favorites status in the tournament. After moving past potential stumbling block FC Copenhagen, they’re now set to face Legia Warsaw, a matchup they are expected to sail through comfortably.
Meanwhile, lurking on the other side of the draw are likely contenders Fiorentina and Real Betis, but odds favor Chelsea to face and probably beat one of them in the final. Securing this trophy would be a major coup for Maresca in his debut season and would build on his success from winning the Championship with Leicester.
Defining a Successful Season for Chelsea
A Conference League victory, coupled with a top-five league finish, would be hard to dispute as a successful campaign for Maresca and his squad. Given their strong start, concluding the season in such a manner might feel modest, but they’re rebuilding nicely after the chaos of the 22/23 season.
Despite the significant spending and lingering balance issues in the squad, securing a Champions League slot would provide a solid foundation for attracting new talent to bolster Chelsea’s senior team.
Their path isn’t entirely straightforward, including matches against close competitors Fulham, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest, not to mention crucial fixtures against struggling giants Tottenham and Manchester United.
There’s a chance Chelsea might slip out of the top five, which makes clinching the Conference League even more essential to ensure they have something tangible to celebrate at season’s end.
If you’d like to be featured on Talk Chelsea, click here.
