Predicted finish by Guardian writers: 7th (Note: This represents the aggregate of our writers’ predictions, not necessarily John Brewin’s personal prediction)
Previous season finish: 6th
Future Outlook
Describing Chelsea for the 2024-25 season as enigmatic barely scratches the surface. The aftermath of their 2021 Champions League triumph has been characterized by chaos and uncertainty. It has been astonishing to witness a club with such a rich history being utilized primarily as an investment tool by venture capitalists.
The club continues to see a whirlwind of player changes, reflective of the owners’ impatience with managers. In the previous season, there was noticeable progress under Mauricio Pochettino, achieving a sixth-place finish and a spot in European competition after a heart-wrenching defeat in the Carabao Cup final. This outcome represented a significant improvement for a team of relatively inexperienced players hastily assembled together. It was still a relief when Pochettino exited by mutual agreement, a decision he seemed to accept without much discomfort.
A growing obligation to stabilize finances following a wildly indiscriminate recruitment spree costing billions, coupled with a desire for “pure profit” in transfers, led to the sale of Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher, who is set to join Atlético Madrid. The academy, having also lost several key long-tenured staff, is now tasked with producing high-quality players for market sale.
Talent remains within the squad, yet it’s uncertain if Cole Palmer can replicate his past heroics. Will Chelsea supporters witness Christopher Nkunku’s full potential after last season’s injury struggles? Similarly, Roméo Lavia saw limited action, and Reece James faced persistent fitness issues too. Nonetheless, there are reasons for optimism: alongside Palmer, Malo Gusto emerged as a standout under Pochettino, while Marc Cucurella had a stellar Euro 2024, shaking off doubts about his £62m price tag. However, the sheer number of uncertainties leaves everyone guessing what to expect from this latest Chelsea chapter.
The Coach
Enzo Maresca’s hiring, despite lacking top-tier experience, implies that the managerial position is not prioritized within the ownership’s structure. Maresca, however, is no inexperienced rookie; he has been part of English football since his time as a youth player at West Brom. Handpicked by Pep Guardiola as his assistant, his Leicester team performed exceptionally in the Championship last season until some mid-February setbacks. Critics pointed to Leicester’s somewhat rigid playing style focused on counter-pressing—he is closely associated with Roberto De Zerbi—but this trendy approach also caught the attention of Chelsea’s ownership. A modern Chelsea coach must adeptly navigate both internal and external politics, a challenge that proved difficult for Pochettino.
Off-Field Landscape
So far, the BlueCo ownership initiative led by Todd Boehly and current frontman Behdad Eghbali appears quite flawed. Concerns surrounding profitability and sustainability loom large over Stamford Bridge. Accounting maneuvers, such as selling the two hotels on the premises to another segment of the business and similar actions with the women’s team, seem desperate rather than born from strategic foresight. A series of mistakes, including hikes in ticket prices and discontenting corporate initiatives like the Dugout Club, coupled with the ending of travel subsidies for away fans, have drawn the ire of organized supporter groups. The tranquility experienced during Roman Abramovich’s tenure has been replaced by echoes of concern reminiscent of the club’s financial crises in the 1970s.
Emerging Star
Chelsea has cultivated an unfortunate trend of offloading their top talents. Gallagher’s exit was partly attributed to reports suggesting he wouldn’t align with Maresca’s possession-based approach, potentially paving the way for Lavia, who, like many recent Chelsea acquisitions, has had considerable rehab time due to injury. Just a year ago, Liverpool faltered in their pursuit of a player acquired for £58m, who played just 32 minutes due to ankle and muscle injuries—an unfortunate situation for someone who previously showcased immense potential at Southampton. The midfield will see competition, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whom Maresca imported from Leicester, and Carney Chukwuemeka, another promising young talent striving to overcome injury woes. Yet, with Chelsea’s track record of talent mishandling, concerns loom, although Lavia has displayed promising skills during pre-season.
The Star Player
Among the best English performers in last season’s Premier League, alongside fellow Stockport native Phil Foden, was Palmer, who seemed unaffected by the surrounding turmoil. His confidence recalls the swagger of Liam Gallagher, coupled with his outspoken media appearances, making his departure from Manchester City a subject of considerable scrutiny regarding Guardiola’s decision. Palmer’s £40m transfer fee might represent one of BlueCo’s few astute buys. Featuring a unique blend of speed, precision finishing, and composed penalty execution, he bears a striking resemblance to Chris Waddle during his prime at Marseille. The question remains: Can Palmer maintain this level of performance? He certainly believes he can.
Summer Activities
The saga surrounding Enzo Fernández, highlighted by his misguided social media broadcast celebrating Argentina’s Copa América victory in front of a squad with numerous Francophone players, does not paint a picture of harmony within the camp. It created an awkward backdrop during the club’s U.S. tour. Official statements have claimed the issue is resolved, as has Wesley Fofana, who rightly pointed out the inappropriateness of Fernández’s behavior. On a more positive note, Cucurella’s success in the Euros led to a lucrative beer advertisement, although his inclusion in a chant celebrating him was notably sanitized. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell likely watched Euro 2024 and questioned why Gareth Southgate failed to utilize a proper left-back for such an extended period.
