Chelsea’s Premier League journey has taken a nosedive, shifting from title hopefuls to fighting for a top-four spot in just a couple of weeks.
With only two points earned from games against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town, and Crystal Palace, the Blues’ recent struggles have highlighted some serious weaknesses in their lineup. Manager Enzo Maresca has faced backlash for not using substitutes effectively, which points to the urgent need for key additions if Chelsea wants to seriously challenge for the title next season.
Chelsea’s Substitution Issues
In their recent winless streak, Maresca made just nine substitutions out of a possible 20, with four of those happening in one match against Ipswich. During the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, only Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke were brought on, leaving big names like Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku on the bench despite Chelsea’s offensive woes.
The lack of use of high-profile signings like Felix and Nkunku—who together cost €112 million—raises concerns about Chelsea’s recruitment approach.
Spotting Areas for Growth
Although Chelsea’s transfer strategy has shown promise, it’s clear that the squad isn’t quite ready to compete with the top teams in the league. Young prospects like Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez could make a difference next season, and Andrey Santos’ return from Strasbourg will strengthen the midfield. However, it’s crucial to address three key positions for Chelsea’s goals in 2025/26:
1. Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez has had some standout moments but is still prone to mistakes and inconsistency. Filip Jorgensen doesn’t seem prepared to step up as a starter, and while highly-rated Belgian keeper Mike Penders will join next summer, his lack of experience suggests a loan might be the best option for him.
Chelsea is in need of a solid short-term solution for their goalkeeper situation. While AC Milan’s Mike Maignan would be a perfect fit, he’s probably out of reach. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel could be a more attainable and effective option.
2. Centre-Back
Chelsea’s defense is looking shaky, especially with Wesley Fofana’s injury issues adding to the problem. Axel Disasi hasn’t been up to par, Tosin Adarabioyo hasn’t convinced anyone, and Benoit Badiashile’s performance has been all over the place.
Josh Acheampong is showing some potential, but counting on an 18-year-old to be a regular starter is a gamble. They really need a seasoned, strong centre-back. Even though Chelsea is leaning towards younger talent, bringing in someone like Jonathan Tah for free or looking at players like Ousmane Diomande, Illia Zabarnyi, or Tomas Araujo could really bolster their defense.
3. Winger
With Mykhailo Mudryk out due to a doping suspension, Chelsea is missing a reliable goal-scoring winger. The current lineup of Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and Noni Madueke has only managed eight league goals together this season.
They should consider targets like Nico Williams, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, Raphinha, and Ademola Lookman to add some much-needed scoring power to compete with the top teams.
The Road Ahead
By focusing on these three key positions, Chelsea could set themselves up as serious contenders for the Premier League title in the 2025/26 season. With smart investments, the Blues might finally break their title drought and reclaim their status among England’s top clubs.
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