Chelsea, fresh off their Club World Cup victory, now face the challenge of winning the Premier League. As Enzo Maresca’s squad returns to London, key players like Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo, and João Pedro must shift focus to domestic competition.
Chelsea made history by becoming the first club to win every competition they’ve entered, after defeating PSG to claim the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Their recent Conference League victory over Real Betis completed their European trophy collection, and Sunday’s triumph added the final accolade to their record.
Chelsea will enter the 2025-26 season still seeking their first Premier League title since 2017; only ending this drought will restore them to their expected status. Notably, they’ve won all four major European trophies and both versions of the Club World Cup since last claiming the English crown.
Following an investment of over £1 billion in new players since the Todd Boehly/Clearlake consortium acquired Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, expectations are high for the club to demonstrate renewed domestic success. The ownership may, however, view the Club World Cup as a major achievement, positioning Chelsea as global champions.
For Chelsea fans, the Premier League remains the top priority, as being champions of England is what matters most. However, their win against PSG—Europe’s top team recently—showed the promise of Maresca and his squad.
Maresca proved his tactical flexibility at the Club World Cup, notably moving Reece James into midfield with Caicedo and Enzo Fernández to counter PSG’s strong midfield and secure the win. He compared football to chess—outthinking opponents—and demonstrated this by defeating Luis Enrique, suggesting he can match any coach.
Chelsea have strong attacking options, a disciplined coach, and an effective midfield. While defensive concerns remain, their recent match against PSG showed they can stay focused for 90 minutes. With the necessary qualities to win the Premier League, Chelsea’s form has caught the attention of rivals. Consistency will be key to their title challenge.
