Having conquered the world and Europe, Chelsea`s next logical aspiration is clear. Can Enzo Maresca`s team truly make history by simultaneously holding the Conference League, Club World Cup, and Premier League titles?
According to Levi Colwill, this is entirely achievable, as he believes securing major trophies is a fundamental expectation for any Chelsea player.
After their Club World Cup victory, Colwill stated, “Our team spirit is central to Chelsea`s identity. We remain united through thick and thin. Legendary figures like John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba established this ethos, and we are continuing it. They were phenomenal, trophy-laden players, but we also boast top talent, especially among our young squad. Our goal is to win the most prestigious trophies for Chelsea. We are certainly capable, and our 3-0 victory against PSG, who many considered the world`s best, proves it.”
It`s understandable for the long-serving academy product to feel optimistic about the future, especially after such a commanding performance – arguably Chelsea`s finest since their 2020-21 Champions League triumph. Enzo Maresca`s tactical approach was flawlessly executed, with his players demonstrating aggression, organization, and fearlessness. Sustaining such a level of play over a 38-game season would undoubtedly set any team up for limitless success.
However, this consistent performance is precisely Chelsea`s challenge. During Maresca`s inaugural season, they rarely reached this exceptional standard. Consequently, they finished 15 points adrift of Liverpool, vying for a top-five spot, despite their manager downplaying title aspirations mid-season. The final Premier League standings provided a more accurate depiction of their form than the early-season optimism, positioning them comfortably between third and fifth but far from the title race.
Last season, Chelsea`s scoring output was insufficient. While their defense ranked third in the league with 43 goals conceded, it needs significant improvement when they only manage 64 goals themselves. Their expected goal difference of 21.16 was less than half of Liverpool`s and considerably lower than even an injury-plagued Arsenal`s.
The victory over PSG was exceptional precisely because it was so uncharacteristic. Against the other top-four teams last season, Chelsea suffered four losses, secured one draw, and managed only one win – a notable 3-1 triumph against an already-crowned Premier League champion Liverpool. Despite enjoying two-thirds of possession, Luis Enrique`s European champions recorded only 17 touches in Chelsea`s box, four less than Chelsea`s average Premier League opponent. A team often criticized for passivity, both in and out of possession, demonstrated immediate intensity in the opening ten minutes, dictating the game`s tempo. Maresca`s team was brilliant, but uncharacteristically so.
There`s a risk that cup successes might inflate perceptions of Chelsea`s progress under Maresca. While they dominated the Conference League as expected, their Club World Cup run benefited from favorable circumstances. Their second-place finish seemed fortunate after Benfica eliminated Bayern Munich in the round of 16 in Charlotte. Subsequently, Al-Hilal and Fluminense cleared the path by defeating Manchester City and Inter, respectively.
This is not to diminish their excellent performance against the European champions or the supporters` joy at seeing the prominent gold badge on their sponsor-free kits – a truly distinctive look. However, Todd Boehly`s strong endorsement of Chelsea`s Club World Cup campaign (“The boys have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with,” he told Talksport) should be weighed against the fact that their semi-final opponents, Fluminense, are rated by Opta as marginally weaker than Coventry City and Elche.
Yet, does this momentum truly provide an advantage? Perhaps, but many are skeptical about how it will translate given the five weeks of rest and preparation before the 2025-26 season kicks off. While it`s reasonable to acknowledge the significant individual development within this young squad, their transfer strategy raises some questions.
Joao Pedro had a promising start in the US, but excluding penalties, he has scored 10 goals in 58 Premier League games over the past two seasons, averaging 2.5 shots and 0.3 xG per 90 minutes. In contrast, Nicolas Jackson, now attracting interest from Manchester United and AC Milan, boasts 24 goals, 2.78 shots, and 0.55 xG. Replacing Noni Madueke with Jamie Gittens offers Maresca another left-wing option, a position where Chelsea have consistently struggled. Nevertheless, it`s difficult to avoid the impression that for a new signing entering a more challenging league, a highly impressive short-term progression might only bring them to the level of the player they are replacing.
Chelsea`s strategy is puzzling, given the clear path to legitimate excellence, especially with the Club World Cup prize money at their disposal. There`s an opportunity to deviate from their usual model of investing in high-potential $70 million youngsters and instead acquire more established star quality. Imagine replacing Jackson with a striker of Victor Osimhen`s caliber, securing an elite central defender to solidify the backline, and signing a top-tier goalkeeper. Such moves would create a truly comprehensive team.
Ultimately, the future remains incredibly promising for a team featuring Moises Caicedo as its midfield anchor and Cole Palmer as its creative lynchpin. They are surrounded by other quality players like Reece James, Marc Cucurella, and Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea isn`t far from becoming a title contender, even if their current recruitment decisions don`t appear to be the most optimal for achieving that goal.
Nevertheless, if Chelsea`s peak performance involves convincingly defeating the champions of Europe – even a seemingly fatigued PSG – then there`s certainly cause to believe in their potential. However, it will require many more performances of this caliber before the reigning world champions can realistically aim to be the premier team in their own country.
