Why Chelsea’s Depth, Not Just Talent, Will Define 2025/26
The pursuit of versatile forwards shows an appreciation for flexibility in a packed season
We are now 23 days away from the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season—count them down.
Despite a much-needed holiday granted to the World Champions after a relentless calendar, Chelsea’s short pre-season underscores the unique challenge facing Enzo Maresca heading into his second campaign.
In an age where engagement is currency and reductive takes dominate timelines, predicting one starting XI is what’s expected. But this season demands more. Rotation isn’t just strategic—it’s survival. Champions League football is back, domestic ambition is high, and the physical demands are brutal.
The days of an 11-to-14-player core carrying a season are long gone. The schedule is too intense, the stakes too high. So when you see the inevitable “Where is Xavi Simons going to play?” tweets or pseudo-intellectual thinkpieces, remember to also ask:
Where is Hugo Ekitike going to play?
Where is Noni Madueke going to play?
Where is Bryan Mbeumo going to play?
We live in an era where rotation is not optional, it’s mandatory.
Last season, Chelsea had the rare luxury of rotating heavily while making a deep run in Europe. We saw a 16-year-old debut in a semi-final while the Premier League lineup was mostly revamped. But this season won’t afford the same ease. When it’s Real Madrid away on Wednesday followed by Newcastle at home on Saturday, rotation is necessary—but complicated.
The upcoming campaign will test Maresca and his young, more experienced squad in new ways. The pursuit of Jorrel Hato from Ajax is logical in that context. With no serious cover for Marc Cucurella, Hato offers both depth and flexibility. He’s capable of shifting into a left-sided centre-back role—something Maresca has shown a tendency to utilize.
Avoiding a full rehash of last season’s managerial debates, one moment stands out: Maresca’s inaction during the December defeat to Fulham. It was a frustrating watch. Why so passive with substitutions? Why stick with a tiring XI? It’s easy to be critical, but also fair to acknowledge the limited options available.
When Nicolas Jackson needed rest, the raw Marc Guiu was the only alternative. When Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez were running on empty, it was basically Dewsbury-Hall or bust.
That’s no longer the case.
Now, Chelsea’s quality in depth offers the chance to become a chameleon—able to shift shape and strategy like the club’s most beloved squads. Think Mourinho’s Chelsea, a side equally capable of technical brilliance and physical dominance.
There’s already evidence of this evolution. From the final matches in May to Chelsea’s Club World Cup success, a new adaptability emerged. Multiple shapes. New patterns. Tactical flexibility.
Not to say Maresca never adapted before, but the visible impact is now undeniable. And that’s crucial, because coaching time is minimal. With barely any breathing room between European and league fixtures, training time is scarce. Instilling tactical variety now is smart planning.
The squad, having had over a year under Maresca, should no longer need hand-holding. They know the fundamentals. They’ve adapted before. And with added quality, they can go further.
Whether it’s a 3-6-1, 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3, Chelsea must remain flexible—capable of playing both on the break and in sustained possession. Signing Xavi Simons adds a creative spark that was sorely missed when Cole Palmer hit a dip during the season’s most difficult stretch. Even if Maresca leans on familiar faces early, Simons could prove vital when it matters most.
The best part of this summer? We’re finally talking about football.
Not just price tags. Not resale value. But how signings fit. What tactical doors they open. How competition fuels performance.
Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all strengthening. These are the clubs Chelsea must leapfrog. That requires bold investment—and a squad deep enough to survive the marathon ahead.
Chelsea are building something. Not perfect, but promising