CHELSEA raced out the traps last season, faded in the middle, but finished well to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.
Factor in this summer’s Club World Cup triumph and the Blues are in a good place ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
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Enzo Maresca’s troops are proving to be very popular among Dream Team managers during pre-season so let’s analyse their top performers, smart selections and potential flops.
TOP PERFORMERS
As it stands, Cole Palmer (£6m) is set to start the season as Dream Team’s most popular player.
His massive ownership of 50.8% is a reflection of the fact he amassed 339 points in 2024/25 at a rate of 7.7 per appearance but we suspect his Club World Cup final heroics have influenced a fair few gaffers.
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The England midfielder scored a brace against PSG in New Jersey to remind everyone of his quality.
The goals dried up for Palmer in the second half of last season but he’s undoubtedly one of the strongest players available.
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Marc Cucurella (£4.5m) had his doubters among the Stamford Bridge faithful but he’s not shy of admirers now.
The Spaniard produced some clutch performances to reverse Chelsea’s form when they needed it most and he ended up with seven goals in all competitions, the most among all Dream Team defenders for 2024/25.
A lock at left-back, he’s currently the third-most selected player in his position with an ownership of 16.9%
Joao Pedro (£4.5m) has joined Chelsea’s ranks and seems set to start the campaign as first-choice striker.
The young Brazilian impressed in the USA and his healthy average of 5.7 points-per-game from last season stands him in good stead for the campaign ahead.
Experienced Dream Team bosses may remember that he took full advantage of midweek fixtures the last time he was in Europe (with Brighton in 2023/24).
One possible caveat, Liam Delap (£4.5m) will be pushing hard for minutes following his move from Ipswich.
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SMART SELECTIONS
Chelsea are said to be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper with Gigi Donnarumma the latest name circling the rumour mill.
However, Robert Sanchez (£3.5m) is No1 as things stands and could be considered a relatively affordable option between the sticks.
The 27-year-old has not been totally convincing since his move from Brighton but he’s the joint-cheapest keeper among the nine expected starters for the clubs active in Europe.
Sanchez may not be the most reliable individual but the total package is more appealing.
Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez (£4.5m) is not to be underestimated.
The World Cup winner averaged 5.7 points-per-game last term, putting him above the likes of Declan Rice (£5m), Youri Tielemans (£5m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.5m).
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Given more license to attack, he contributed eight goals and 14 assists; only four midfielders created more goals for their team-mates in all comps.
Fernandez might be a good alternative for gaffers keen on Chelsea but unable to afford Palmer.
This might be too bold a recommendation for Gameweek 1 but it’s worth keeping tabs on Malo Gusto (£3m).
The ever-improving Frenchman will be considered a bargain if he’s revealed as a regular starter — Reece James (£4m) was deployed in midfield against PSG.
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POTENTIAL FLOPS
This is more a general point but Chelsea’s line-ups might not be all that easy to predict.
They’ve got a big squad and seem to be almost oversubscribed in certain positions.
Will Pedro Neto (£4m) keep his place or will Jamie Gittens (£4m) come in?
There’s talk of a move for Xavi Simons, which would complicate things further.
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What we’re saying is that it’s easy to accidentally select a benchwarmer, a classic Dream Team misstep.
Gaffers are advised to stick to guaranteed starters at first.
The pecking order will soon become clear as the season progresses.
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