The 2024-25 season will be etched in Chelsea’s history as a transformative campaign, marked by unexpected glory and strategic reinvention. Under the stewardship of manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues secured their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup title with a resounding 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final , capped off a season that balanced domestic consolidation with continental dominance. Here’s a comprehensive analysis of their journey.
1. Season Overview: A Bifurcated Campaign
Chelsea’s season unfolded in two distinct phases:
Domestic Performance: Despite a 4th-place finish in the Premier League , securing a return to the UEFA Champions League, the Blues struggled in domestic cups, bowing out early in the FA Cup (1/16 finals) and EFL Cup (4th round) . Their league form was inconsistent, with key wins over Tottenham and Newcastle offset by frustrating draws against mid-table sides.
European Dominance: The club’s UEFA Conference League triumph (4-1 vs. Real Betis in the final) and the Club World Cup victory highlighted their ability to thrive in knockout competitions. The latter achievement made Chelsea the first team to win both the old and new formats of the tournament , underscoring their global pedigree.
2. Tactical Revolution Under Maresca
Maresca, a protégé of Pep Guardiola, introduced a flexible 4-2-3-1 system that prioritized vertical transitions and midfield control. Key innovations included:
Double Pivot: The pairing of Moises Caicedo and Reece James as a hybrid defensive midfielder added steel to the midfield. Caicedo’s 2.9 tackles/interceptions per 90 minutes disrupted opponents, while James’ overlaps provided width.
Counterattacking Prowess: Chelsea’s low-block organization and rapid transitions exploited spaces left by high-pressing teams. In the Club World Cup final, goals from Cole Palmer (2 goals) and João Pedro (1 goal) came from lightning-quick breaks , capitalizing on PSG’s aggressive full-backs.
Youth Integration: Maresca trusted academy products like Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong, blending experience with exuberance. This strategy paid dividends in Europe, where younger players thrived in high-stakes environments.
3. Key Players: Stars and Breakouts
Attack:
Cole Palmer: The 23-year-old emerged as Chelsea’s talisman, contributing 18 goals + 13 assists in 52 appearances . His clinical finishing (1.2 xG per 90 in the Conference League) and leadership in the absence of injured veterans were pivotal.
João Pedro: Signed from Brighton for €60M, the Brazilian striker justified his fee with 3 goals in 2 Club World Cup matches , showcasing his aerial prowess (78% success rate) and link-up play.
Noni Madueke: A revelation on the wing, Madueke’s 34 km/h sprint speed and 5 assists in European competitions stretched defenses, earning him a €52M move to Arsenal in the summer .
Midfield:
Enzo Fernández: Despite a groin injury that sidelined him for crucial league fixtures , Enzo’s 91% pass accuracy and long-range vision (85% success rate on switches) anchored Chelsea’s build-up. His absence in the final league games exposed midfield fragility.
Moises Caicedo: The Ecuadorian’s 68% tackle success rate and positional discipline made him a linchpin in both domestic and European campaigns.
Defense:
Levi Colwill: The young center-back aged 22 formed a resilient defense, recording a 43% clean sheet rate when paired . Colwill’s progressive passing (6.2 carries per 90) added a creative dimension.
Robert Sánchez: The Spanish goalkeeper’s 78% save percentage in the Conference League and crucial stops in the Club World Cup semifinal vs. Fluminense solidified his status as a top-tier shot-stopper.
4. Transfer Strategy: Balancing Act
Chelsea’s summer window in 2024 focused on addressing squad depth:
Signings: Notable additions included Pedro Neto (€60M from Wolves), João Félix (€52M from Atlético Madrid), and Dewsbury-Hall (€35.4M from Leicester) . These arrivals bolstered attack and midfield versatility.
Departures: High-profile exits like Romelu Lukaku (€30M to Napoli) freed up wages and squad spots for younger talent.
Following the start of this summer's transfer window, Chelsea moved quickly to make big-money additions to their forward line, signing striker Delap from Ipswich Town for €35.5 million and splashing out €64.7 million to bring João Pedro in from Brighton. Both forwards turned in standout performances in the Club World Cup and were key contributors to Chelsea's triumph in the competition. Additionally, winger Jamie Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for €64.3 million, will join the club next season, filling the wide position void left by Noni Madueke's departure.
5. Challenges and Lessons Learned
Injury Crisis: Key players like Wesley Fofana (hamstring) and Christopher Nkunku (knee) missed significant chunks of the season , testing Chelsea’s depth. The absence of a reliable striker Nicola Jackson also hurt.
Tactical Rigidity: While effective in Europe, Chelsea’s overreliance on counterattacks struggled against deep-lying Premier League defenses. Maresca’s reluctance to rotate his midfield trio at times left the team predictable.
FFP Constraints: Chelsea’s aggressive spending under Todd Boehly’s ownership necessitated prudent squad management. The sale of Marc Guehi (€33M to Newcastle) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (loan to Bournemouth) reflected this pragmatism.
6. Club World Cup: The Pinnacle
The 3-0 victory over PSG encapsulated Chelsea’s season:
Tactical Mastery: Maresca’s decision to deploy Reece James as a defensive midfielder neutralized PSG’s playmaker Vitinha, while Palmer’s movement exploited gaps between PSG’s full-backs and center-backs.
Individual Brilliance: Palmer’s 2 goals and 1 assist , coupled with Sánchez’s crucial save from Ousmane Dembélé , highlighted Chelsea’s collective resolve. The win also marked James’ redemption after a injury-plagued season.
7. Future Outlook
Chelsea’s summer window will focus on strengthening the winger position (targets include Rodrigo ) and resolving defensive vulnerabilities. With £80M+ from the Club World Cup and a squad average age of 24.7 years , the Blues are poised for sustained success. Maresca’s emphasis on tactical flexibility and youth development bodes well for a return to Premier League title contention.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 season was a watershed moment for Chelsea, blending tactical innovation with youthful exuberance. While domestic inconsistency hinted at lingering growing pains, the Club World Cup triumph and European glory validated Maresca’s vision. As the Blues embark on a new era, their ability to balance pragmatism with ambition will determine whether they can reclaim their status as one of Europe’s elite.
