Could Chelsea FC be title contenders this season?

Chelsea FC has faced a tumultuous period in the past two seasons, enduring a series of challenges that have led to failures by their usual high standards. Since the takeover by American businessman Todd Boehly in 2022, the club has experienced significant upheaval, marked by changes in ownership, managerial instability, and a massive reshaping of the squad.

The ownership transition was just the beginning of a chaotic period for Chelsea. Boehly’s consortium took control of the club, and with this new era came a fresh vision for the future. This included implementing a new transfer strategy, focusing heavily on youth talent and long-term squad development. However, the shift towards this model led to a flurry of signings, many of them young players, as the club sought to revamp its squad and build for the future. Despite these investments, the team struggled to find consistency on the pitch.

Chelsea experienced a challenging transitional period despite significant investment in the transfer market. Under manager Graham Potter, the team underperformed and finished outside of European qualification in the 2022/23 season, leading to his dismissal before the season ended. The club then appointed Mauricio Pochettino for the 2023/24 season, but Chelsea again fell short of securing a Champions League spot. As a result of this underwhelming performance, Pochettino left the club after just one season.

At the start of the 2024/25 season, Chelsea faced a crucial decision to appoint a top-class manager. They ultimately chose Enzo Maresca, who had previously managed Leicester City, leading them to promotion to the Premier League. Maresca also had experience as an assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The Italian manager has revitalised Chelsea, giving them a clear, aggressive playing style focused on attacking. Though the team started the season slowly as the manager worked to implement this style, they have been in excellent form recently, climbing to second place in the league, just two points behind the leaders. Players like Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Moisés Caicedo have significantly improved under his guidance, contributing to a strong winning run for Chelsea.

The question of whether Chelsea FC is a serious contender for the Premier League title is being debated, given their relatively inexperienced team and a new manager. With only December into the season and minimal points separating the top four teams, it’s too early to make definitive conclusions about the title race. While Chelsea’s potential is clear, there are still many games left to play, making it premature to confidently say they can go all the way.

The Premier League is highly competitive, with great talent spread across clubs beyond the Top 6, making it hard to determine a definitive favourite. However, Chelsea has several advantages. They are currently in strong form and boast the most robust squad among the top clubs, allowing them to rotate players without weakening their lineup. Additionally, Chelsea has been fortunate with fewer injuries compared to teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, or Manchester City. Their participation in the Europa Conference League is not a major distraction either as the competition level is lower, allowing them to field a second-string team and still secure positive results.

Another major factor is that Manchester City has dropped off massively this season with not many in the Top 6 producing consistent performances. The competition in the league is intense, with mid-table clubs delivering exceptional performances, challenging the dominance of the top teams. Hence, managing a continuous streak of wins is going to be difficult and therefore, more teams will stay in the mix rather than one team running away with the title early. 

Despite a strong season overall, Chelsea faces a significant issue in their defense. While their attack and other areas of the team have shown promise, defensive vulnerabilities remain a key concern. The Blues’ defensive issues have been exposed many times this season. While a strong forward line can be crucial for scoring goals, relying solely on outscoring the opponent is not always sustainable. Hence a solid defense is very much a prerequisite for title contenders. Their goalkeeper Robert Sánchez is also a major weakness in that Chelsea side as he has been found wanting in many situations and could cost Chelsea vital points. 

Enzo Maresca has done an excellent job with Chelsea, with more positives than negatives. Given their current form, tactics, and squad depth, Chelsea could be a strong contender for the title in May. The Reds and Gunners should definitelybe wary of the Blues.