The chaos continues at Chelsea with scattergun recruitment and another change in coach. Is Enzo Maresca the man to lead the Blues back to the top?
Premier League Season Preview 2024/25 – Chelsea
Last season: 6th
Title odds: 16/1
TFF prediction: 8th
Transfers
In: Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Filip Jorgensen, Aaron Anselimo, Pedro Neto.
Out: Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, Omari Hutchinson, Thiago Silva, Lewis Hall, Malang Sarr.
What will we get from Chelsea this season? Does anyone really know? The Todd Boehly era has been chaotic, to say the least, with scattergun recruitment and inconsistency in results.
After the club’s lowest league finish in 29 years in 2022/23, Mauricio Pochettino recovered from a slow start to lead Chelsea into the top six and secure European football. Chelsea appeared on the up across the run-in but decided on change with Pochettino departing after just one season in West London by ‘mutual consent’.
Enzo Maresca has arrived in the door after leading Leicester to the Championship title in 2023/24, though the Italian lacks top-level experience with the former Manchester City assistant having been a head coach for less than 18 months in his career to date.
Chelsea’s campaign was placed largely on the shoulders of Cole Palmer last term, who ended the season with more Premier League goals and assists (33) than any other player. It was an outstanding breakout season for the 22-year-old, who evolved from a frustrated fringe player at Manchester City to a key figure for club and country inside 12 months.
A cut above the rest ✂️
No player scored and assisted more goals in the Premier League than Cole Palmer in the 2023/24 season 🥶 pic.twitter.com/y2pzWOaQqJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 2, 2024
There is hope that Chelsea’s underperforming supporting cast can alleviate the pressure on Palmer this season. Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling have yet to justify the investment in them, Nicolas Jackson’s debut campaign was hit and miss, and Christopher Nkunku barely kicked a ball in Chelsea colours due to injury. The latter has been bright in pre-season and a fully fit version of the Frenchman could supercharge Chelsea’s challenge for the top four.
Chelsea’s signings have been predictably high in volume but have lacked excitement to date, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hoping to win over the doubters after arriving from Fulham and Leicester respectively.
Chelsea continue to be linked with a high-profile centre-forward signing as talks continue with Napoli for Victor Osimhen. The arrival of the Nigerian to spearhead this young side would be a statement.
Key man: Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s net has been cast far and wide to land young talent and in Cole Palmer, the Blues have struck gold. Under-appreciated at Manchester City, Palmer’s performances last season in a Chelsea shirt have led to the rare phenomenon of Pep Guardiola’s judgment being questioned.
The 22-year-old was one of the stars of the Premier League campaign and appeared to relish the responsibility of being Chelsea’s main man, with Palmer a shining light last season even when others around him faltered. He’s proven he can perform at the top level – the task now is to stay there
One to watch: Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku’s first season in the Premier League was decimated by injuries, with a knee issue picked up in pre-season kickstarting a campaign on the treatment table.
So close to a stunning equaliser from Nkunku! pic.twitter.com/iKD6T24Vfl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2024
The France international made just two league starts for Chelsea in 2023/24, leaving the Blues without arguably their most exciting arrival from last summer’s transfer window. Nkunku scored 58 goals across his final two seasons at RB Leipzig and led the Bundesliga for goals in 2022/23. If he can repeat that form this season, Chelsea’s forward line will be a force.
