Chelsea 2025/26 season print special - Pre-order your exclusive summer guide

The champions of the world are back in the Champions League. For the first time since 2023, Chelsea are entering Europe's premier club competition and they do it with the wind in their sails.

Boosted by a strong end to last season under Enzo Maresca, academy graduate Reece James has lifted two trophies since late May and is aiming to establish Chelsea's position among the elite once more. For manager Maresca, it will be the first time he has entered a second campaign in charge of a senior team.

Backed by a busy transfer window set to once again go beyond the £200million spending mark, Chelsea are making themselves known once more. With a reduced pre-season that has been condensed to just two friendlies in the final week before the league starts again, they are once of the teams to watch out for.

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Having finished fourth despite being a game away from crisis during most of 2025, Chelsea are now aiming to extend the gap between themselves and challengers Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and even Nottingham Forest.

They will have their sights set on chasing down Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City at the top of the table rather than being dragged into another dogfight for European football. Among those to add impetus to the cause are Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens.

Xavi Simons is likely to join them from RB Leipzigwhilst Noni Madueke has departed. Chelsea hope that the revamped attack, which will include Brazilian superstar Estevao Willian coming in, can lead them to success on multiple fronts.

Maresca will have the chance to jump straight from being Conference League winners to making a splash with the big boys of the global game. The challenges ahead of him include balancing his squad for four competitions, the lack of preparation time for the season, and making tactical adjustments to keep opponents guessing and on the back foot.

For Chelsea, this will be the fourth season under Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly ownership and they will be striving to continue moving forward. After a tricky start, which extended across the last 12 months, there is finally a belief that things are heading in the right direction.

With Maresca's stewardship - he will be the first manager under the American-based consortium to go into a second term in charge - Chelsea will be keen to push on with their talented young group. Last season they were the second youngest in the top five leagues, behind only fellow BlueCo-owned outfit RC Strasbourg.

To preview the season, and all that it could hold, football.london has a full guide to Chelsea, the numbers and background to their team, and also an in-depth view of their rivals. In a 2025/26 Chelsea Kick-off special, there is a look at the key players, transfer activity, and fixtures.

New managers and grounds across the division are analysed, and you can put your own knowledge to the test with a Premier League quiz. For all things Chelsea, and your new season fix, it is the ideal way to prepare.

Priced £3.50, pre-order your copy nowfrom our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.