Chelsea recorded a fourth-placed finish in the 2024-25 Premier League season in their first year under Enzo Maresca – marking their return to the top four for the first time since 2021-22 and a much needed return to stability after two years of turbulence and sub-par performances.

It was a campaign that saw Chelsea sit second in the table in late December, with many touting the Blues as surprise title contenders, but a brief mid-season slump meant they eventually finished 25 points behind champions Liverpool.

Still, a return to the Champions League places and several superb performances laid a promising foundation for the future, and that momentum was only heightened by their Club World Cup triumph – a statement competition victory that has raised conversation about whether Chelsea are set to contend for the 2025-26 Premier League title.

Here, Sports Mole evaluates whether Chelsea should be considered as genuine Premier League title challengers in 2025-26.

Can Chelsea maintain Club World Cup momentum?

The driving force behind this conversation comes because of Chelsea’s unexpected FIFA Club World Cup success, where the Blues fended off some of the world’s elite sides to claim the trophy.

While their road to the final saw them best Los Angeles FC (2-0), Esperance de Tunis (3-0), Benfica (4-1), Palmeiras (2-1) and Fluminense (2-0) – losing to Flamengo (3-1) in the group stage – it was their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final that caught the eye.

PSG headed into the tournament as the clear favourites, largely due to their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, while they had also defeated the likes of Atletico Madrid (4-0), Bayern Munich (2-0) and Real Madrid (4-0) on their route to the final.

However, Maresca’s side executed their game plan perfectly in the final, completely nullifying PSG’s attacking threat – limiting them to 0.53 expected goals (xG) – and scoring three times in the first half to secure the 3-0 victory.

The tournament triumph highlights Chelsea’s potential to handle pressure on the biggest stage, while Maresca’s masterclass shows the manager’s ability to come up with the perfect gameplan to defeat the highest level of opposition.

Their Club World Cup win will instil huge belief and confidence in the dressing room, and that momentum could prove pivotal if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Squad strength and summer signings

It is not only on the pitch where Chelsea have been busy this summer, as the Blues have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market, with seven transfers already confirmed and more activity expected before the window closes.

Kendry Paez (18), Mamadou Sarr (19), Daro Essugo (20) and Estevao (18) all profile as promising youngsters that have been signed for their potential, while Liam Delap (22), Jamie Gittens (20) and Joao Pedro (23) are expected to make an instant impact in the first team.

Delap and Pedro were both involved in Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, with the Englishman scoring one and assisting one in six appearances, while the Brazilian was vital to their success.

Pedro only joined the club halfway through the competition, making his debut from the bench in the quarter-final before starting and scoring a brace in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fluminense in the semi-finals, followed by scoring the third in their 3-0 win over PSG in the final.

These signings provide the much-needed squad depth to compete for the title, which could prove crucial in helping the Blues avoid the kind of mid-season slump that derailed any title hopes last season – as Chelsea went five league matches without a win in December and January.

They also provide the added quality to the squad that, alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, could elevate Chelsea to a level required to compete against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League crown.

So, are Chelsea contenders?

Chelsea’s Club World Cup success combined with smart summer signings helps position them as genuine contenders in the Premier League title race.

A victory on the opening day of the season against Crystal Palace could be vital in maintaining their current momentum, but the ultimate test lies in their ability to sustain the level of performance across a demanding 38-game campaign, alongside the added stress of competing in the Champions League.

Written by
Ellis Stevens