3 players key for Chelsea’s ambitions this season

The biggest challenge for Chelsea this season is to be better on the field than they have been in the transfer window. The last season was an improvement on the previous one, leading them to the UEFA Conference League this season. This season they will hope to improve on their 6th place. While a Champions League berth does seem a little
far fetched at the present time, that will be Chelsea’s target in the 2024/25 season. Rest assured, they will be scrutinized heavily.

#3 Malo Gusto

When Malo Gusto, a top tier right-back talent was moving to Chelsea, he was asked about whether he was worried about game time given the presence of Reece James. He said he wasn’t and he has been proved right. At this point, he is basically undroppable, be it at RB or LB.

Gusto has filled in brilliantly for the ever injured Englishman. He covers ground very well and is good, both in terms of defending and going forward, something that is rare for fullbacks nowadays. This season he will be looking to cement himself as one of the best in his position in the league.

#2 Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez could well have been transferred after a controversial summer, but Chelsea clearly consider him too valuable. Enzo Marcesca even handed him the armband in the season opener versus Manchester City. The Argentine can play in all the midfield roles and has done so for Chelsea.

However, his best role is probably as a deep lying midfielder making use of his brilliant passing range and gritty defending. Signed for £106 million, Fernandez is the most expensive signing in the history of English football. So far, he hasn’t done justice to the price tag, something he must do this season.

#1 Cole Palmer

Chelsea were basically a one man team last season, and that one man was Cole Palmer. Signed from Manchester City, Palmer scored 22 times and assisted a further 11 times, ending up as the player with the most goal contributions in the Premier League season. At times when Chelsea were down in the dumps, the 22 year essentially put them on his back and carried them.

It will be impractical for anyone to expect Palmer to replicate last season’s heroics. What he has done is proved that Chelsea have a very very special player on their books. It is now up to the club to build the team around him.