Chelsea entered the 2024-2025 season with the baggage of 6th place in the 2023-2024 season, along with a ticket to participate in the Europa Conference League. That was the time when disappointment reached its peak because more than 1 billion USD of owner Todd Boehly was poured into the transfer market but in 2 years, The Blues only tended to regress, not to see any progress.
The beginning of the season was the most critical period for Chelsea in terms of personnel. When the list for the first team was completed, the Stamford Bridge team named up to 50 names. A surplus crisis was immediately apparent. Having surplus people was one thing, if not resolved quickly, Chelsea would be hit with a salary cap and countless penalties would be handed down.
In that context, captain Enzo Maresca himself was also suspected of not being competent enough to lead a team in crisis, especially under great pressure from the owners on performance. Instead of choosing an inappropriate hot-fix solution, the Italian captain chose to divide the personnel to make it easier to manage. In the end, this method worked.
As soon as he received a large number of personnel, Maresca divided a group to play in the Conference League. Among the 27 players participating in the third-tier European Cup, there were no stars from the first team such as Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia. From the first minutes, Maresca clearly determined that the nature of this playground was not important. Withdrawing Palmer helped the English striker save a lot of energy and focus on the main playground, the Premier League.
The players who were no longer fit, often referred to by fans as the “surplus players”, have been mostly cleared out. In the six pre-season friendlies, only Raheem Sterling (on loan to Arsenal) is no longer in the plans. The decision to sell Conor Gallagher has also been controversial.
In contrast, Maresca has retained promising young talents such as Levi Colwill, demonstrating the club’s commitment to developing its academy. The summer transfer window marked the end of a shopping cycle that spanned four previous windows. Chelsea’s current squad is almost entirely rebuilt, the result of a calculated and strategic build-up by Maresca and his associates.
Under the guidance of the 44-year-old strategist, Chelsea has not only transformed in terms of personnel but also shaped a modern style of play, bearing his tactical imprint. The Blues are now a combination of solid ball control and effective high-pressing ability.
Enzo Maresca constantly emphasized the philosophy: "When attacking, must be ready to defend." He also shared that this idea was inspired by Pep Guardiola, helping Chelsea minimize risks before the counter -attacks and bring the balance between public and defense.
In particular, Enzo Maresca has continuously improved the players, both individually and collectively. The midfield trio of Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are gradually proving their superiority with their ability to control the game and support the defense effectively. Up front, Nicolas Jackson has grown from a limited striker to a key player.
The London club are benefiting from not having to play in many major tournaments. Unlike rivals Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City, they do not have to endure the pressure of a tight schedule. This helps key players maintain better form and fitness.
However, Chelsea's biggest challenge will be their ability to maintain consistency against unexpected opponents. This season's Premier League feels different to recent ones, with big teams showing signs of instability at times, and phenomena like Nottingham Forest ready to get in the way at any time.
When Chelsea won the Premier League eight years ago, they also started the season in turmoil. This time around, fans expect a similar pattern, although the mighty Liverpool are a formidable foe.
