Are Chelsea Now Serious Title Contenders After Club World Cup Glory?

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Chelsea’s triumph at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup this summer has provided a much-needed shot in the arm for a club still trying to find its identity in the post-Abramovich era. Under Enzo Maresca, a young and evolving Chelsea squad claimed the title in the United States, defeating Fluminense and Urawa Red Diamonds in convincing fashion before beating PSG in the final. While the competition lacks the prestige of the Champions League, it served as a timely reminder that Chelsea are a team with serious potential.

The question now is: can this momentum be harnessed into a genuine Premier League title challenge in 2025/26?

Chelsea’s Evolution: From Chaos to Clarity

The last few years at Chelsea have been turbulent. Multiple managerial changes, a bloated squad, and inconsistent performances plagued the early part of the Todd Boehly era. But now, finally, there appears to be clarity.

Enzo Maresca, who arrived from Leicester City in the summer of 2024, has implemented a tactical identity rooted in control, possession, and verticality. Drawing from his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, Maresca has Chelsea playing with structured build-up and attacking discipline. The Club World Cup showed signs of those ideas bearing fruit.

Young players like Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, and Carney Chukwuemeka are now more experienced and comfortable in their roles. Key returnees like Christopher Nkunku and Reece James bring technical quality and leadership. For the first time in years, Chelsea appear to have a balanced mix of youthful exuberance and tactical maturity.

Can Club World Cup Glory Translate to League Success?

Winning the Club World Cup doesn’t automatically make Chelsea title favourites. The format is short, the competition level varies, and the stakes are not as high as the Premier League grind. However, it offers something Chelsea desperately needed—belief.

That belief could be the difference between another top-four chase and a legitimate title charge. Fans with Chelsea tickets will remember how the team used the 2021 Club World Cup win under Thomas Tuchel as a springboard to challenge for domestic and European honours. If Maresca can use this latest success to instil a winning culture, it could elevate the squad’s mentality throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

Squad Depth, Injuries & Fixture Congestion

There are caveats, though. Chelsea’s squad, while talented, is relatively inexperienced at challenging for a league title across 38 physically and mentally demanding games. Several key players—such as Nkunku, Reece James, and Wesley Fofana—have battled persistent injury issues in recent seasons. Their availability will be critical.

Chelsea will also return to the Champions League this season, meaning the squad will need to juggle midweek European nights with high-intensity league matches. In previous seasons, this has led to inconsistency and fatigue. Maresca must rotate effectively while maintaining tactical cohesion.

The summer transfer window has been relatively quiet for Chelsea so far, with a focus on trimming the squad rather than lavish spending. That could change if the club targets a prolific No. 9—a piece that still feels missing despite Nkunku and Jackson offering depth.

How Chelsea Compare to the Title Contenders

To win the Premier League, Chelsea must overcome the division’s most consistent sides—Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City. All three will be formidable again.

Liverpool: Reigning Champions Under New Leadership

Liverpool’s 2024/25 title win was a remarkable achievement for new manager Arne Slot, who replaced the iconic Jürgen Klopp in summer 2024. Many doubted whether Slot could immediately succeed in the Premier League, but he silenced critics by guiding the Reds to their 20th league title with a high-pressing, dynamic style.

However, the summer of 2025 has brought changes. Trent Alexander-Arnold, a central figure in Liverpool’s creativity, has joined Real Madrid. While replacements are expected, his departure leaves a tactical and emotional void. Still, with Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and a rock-solid defence featuring Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool remain a cohesive, dangerous outfit.

If Slot can adjust to the loss of Trent and maintain the momentum from last season, Liverpool are once again among the favourites.

Arsenal: So Close, Yet So Far

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have finished second in back-to-back seasons—pushing Manchester City in 2022/23 and Liverpool in 2024/25. The Gunners now boast one of the most complete starting elevens in Europe, with William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Martin Ødegaard forming a formidable spine.

Arsenal are also busy strengthening the squad this summer, much to the delight of fans with Arsenal tickets. They are set to finally land a clinical striker with Viktor Gyokeres expected to arrive from Sporting Lisbon. A lack of killer instinct has cost Arsenal in recent seasons but the addition of Gyokeres should solve that particular issue, making the Gunners a far more potent threat. Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard have already been snapped up to strengthen the midfield while Kepa will provide depth in the goalkeeping department.

Arsenal are mature, battle-tested, and driven by past frustrations. With some smart additions this summer, the Gunners will once again be a force to be reckoned with next season and it could finally be their year.

Manchester City: Still the Benchmark

It feels odd calling Manchester City the underdogs in any title race, but after finishing third last season—behind Liverpool and Arsenal—they enter the 2025/26 campaign with something to prove.

The departure of Kevin De Bruyne—now in Italy—marks the end of an era. While City remain stacked with talent, including Phil Foden, Rodri, Erling Haaland, and newcomers like Tijjani Reijnders, replacing De Bruyne’s creativity won’t be simple.

That said, Pep Guardiola is still at the helm, and City have an uncanny ability to adapt. They’ve won five of the last seven Premier League titles and boast the deepest squad in Europe. Dismissing them would be foolish.

Where Chelsea Stand in the Title Picture

So, are Chelsea ready to break into that top-three stranglehold?

The signs are cautiously optimistic. Their youthful core has matured, their manager has instilled a clear tactical identity, and their recent success at the Club World Cup has reinforced belief.

However, they must start the season strongly. In past campaigns, Chelsea have been undone by slow starts and inconsistent form against lower-ranked sides. This season, the pressure will be on to show they belong among the elite. Early clashes against rivals could define their trajectory.

Moreover, a lack of proven goalscorers may haunt them. While Jackson, Nkunku, and Palmer have all contributed goals, none are traditional 20-goal-a-season strikers. Unless that gap is addressed, Chelsea could fall just short of the consistency needed to lift the trophy.

Conclusion: Close, But Not Quite There—Yet

Chelsea are undoubtedly moving in the right direction. The chaos of previous seasons appears to be fading. A Club World Cup title, a young and talented squad, and a clear managerial vision suggest a club that’s building something special.

Yet when compared to the established title contenders—Liverpool’s cohesion, Arsenal’s discipline, and City’s depth—Chelsea still appear a year or two behind in their evolution.

If injuries are kind, if the young players step up another level, and if they can add a top-class striker before the window closes, a title push is not out of the question. But more realistically, Chelsea look like dark horses—capable of beating anyone, yet still learning how to do it every single week.

Prediction: Top four is likely. A title run? Possible, but they’ll need perfection—and a little fortune.

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