As the Premier League season winds down, Chelsea’s battle for a top five position and Champions League football for next season remains a huge priority for the Blues. Enzo Maresca continues to try to decide on his starting lineup for the key games. With another busy summer transfer window expected, we take a look at what Chelsea’s first-team lineup could be for the opening Premier League game next season. However, we’re going to do it assuming no new signings arrive over the summer, only players returning from loan spells.
Goalkeeper
Probably the position that is most up for grabs. Both Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen have failed to solidify their position between the sticks during the 24-25 season, with Sánchez being guilty of several key errors. However, Djordje Petrovic has enjoyed a standout season on loan at partner club Strasbourg, and many Blues fans are calling for him to be the number one next season. He gets our vote, with Jörgensen as backup and Sánchez sold to the highest bidder.
Defence
Reece James is arguably Chelsea’s best player, and when fully fit, he should slot into the right-back position – away from Maresca’s midfield experiment, which has failed. Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill showed signs of forming a solid defensive duo at centre-back until the Frenchman suffered an injury ruling him out for the remainder of the season. However, when both are fully match fit, they should be Maresca’s first choice. At left-back, Marc Cucurella has been one of Chelsea’s standout players this season and has become a surprising goal threat too. For the 25-26 season, he looks set to continue making the full-back position his own.
Midfield
The pivot of the £100 million men Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández look set to retain their position at the base of Chelsea’s midfield. Caicedo has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent and standout performers this season, while Fernández is starting to mature into the player we know he can be. They’ll face stiff competition from a fit-again Romeo Lavia and returning Andrey Santos – who has enjoyed a stellar spell on loan at Strasbourg and will be fighting for a first-team space next season.
On the wings, no player has shone consistently and brightly in the current season. However, Maresca’s two favourites appear to be Noni Madueke on the right and Pedro Neto on the left, with the two allowed freedom to interchange and swap as well. Jadon Sancho and Tyrique George will allow for rotation but will likely be deemed second choice. With Mykhailo Mudryk still out indefinitely, Chelsea are likely to dip into the transfer window to bolster their wide positions, with the likes of Nico Williams, Eberechi Eze, and Leroy Sané all rumoured to be on the Blues’ watchlist. In the number 10 role, Cole Palmer has made that position his own and it would take something drastic to force him out of the side as Chelsea’s talisman.
Attack
Nicolas Jackson has faced an inconsistent and injury-hit season but remains Chelsea’s go-to up front, with a respectable nine goals and five assists so far this season. His link-up play with Palmer is key to Chelsea’s attacking output, and with Christopher Nkunku likely to be shown the exit door, it would take a huge signing to displace Jackson from leading the line. The likes of Viktor Gyökeres, Liam Delap, and Victor Osimhen have all been linked but are all in hot demand and would take some huge moves in the transfer window to make the move to Stamford Bridge. For now, Jackson’s position looks safe.
Starting XI: Petrovic, James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Subs: Jörgensen, Tosin, Gusto, Lavia, Santos, Essugo, Sancho, George, Guiu
