Projected Chelsea Squad for 25/26 as of July

This is an attempt to put together a projected Chelsea squad for the 2025/26 campaign based on current rumours, whispers, and deals. Things can change in the blink of an eye in the world of football so we will aim to put out another projected lineup in August to see what has changed regarding the club’s squad makeup.

Projected Chelsea Squad for 2025/26 Season

Goalkeepers

Based on the Club World Cup it appears that there will be another season of Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen trading the starting role based on the competition. Sanchez has been the starter for most of the time since moving from Brighton aside from a brief spell under Mauricio Pochettino. Jorgensen is a young backup who the club rates highly following his move from Villarreal.

Third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has made the move to Manchester City which means the role is up for grabs with a few names in contention. The three other senior shot-stoppers on the books are Djordje Petrovic, Gaga Slonina, and Mike Penders.

As of now, Slonina is the leading candidate to stay as the reserve player. Petrovic pulled out of the Club World Cup to seek playing time guarantees elsewhere while Penders has recently been linked with a loan to Strasbourg.

Going into the next term, the goalkeeper unit is expected to be:

• Robert Sanchez
• Filip Jorgensen
• Gaga Slonina

Defenders

There are some names that can be marked as safe for the next campaign. Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, and Trevoh Chalobah have featured in the most recent tournament and should factor in to the thinking for 25/26. Aaron Anselmino came with the team to the Club World Cup after spending the second half of 2024/25 training with the first team.

Wesley Fofana has missed time with injuries but his stellar performances in the previous term should earn him a spot in the team when he’s healthy. New signing Mamadou Sarr was brought to America but hasn’t featured much, he may be kept for depth reasons to play in cups.

Beyond that, there is a lot of doubt over the futures of Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga as well as academy players Ishe Samuel-Smith and Alfie Gilchrist. The first three were all sent out on loan recently and could find themselves out of the plans after being left out of the CWC squad. The other two may be loaned out for development or in ISS’s case, sold to Strasbourg.

As of now, with few incoming links to mention the defensive roster for the upcoming term is predicted to be:

• Marc Cucurella
• Levi Colwill
• Benoit Badiashile
• Aaron Anselmino
• Mamadou Sarr
• Tosin Adarabioyo
• Wesley Fofana
• Trevoh Chalobah
• Reece James
• Malo Gusto
• Moises Caicedo (emergency option)

Midfielders

Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez are guaranteed to stay. Andrey Santos has been given minutes in the Club World Cup and could stay due to his versatility. Dario Essugo is a rotation option for Caicedo which means he is likely to stay.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s status is up in the air as he’s likely to receive even less playing time this season with a step up in competition and more players to contend with but there’s currently no legitimate links to a move away from Stamford Bridge. Add in that he’s flexible enough to play out wide or in Enzo’s spot and you have someone who could get some minutes next season.

That means the midfield in our projected Chelsea squad for 2025/26 is as follows:

• Moises Caicedo
• Romeo Lavia
• Enzo Fernandez
• Andrey Santos
• Dario Essugo
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
• Reece James (emergency option)

Attackers

Newcomers Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Estevao, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap are all likely to remain as squad players. Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto’s performances have earned them a space on the team sheet as well.

Kendry Paez is a big question mark as he was allowed to train in America with the squad but wasn’t included in the competition squad. The youngster could move out on loan but pre-season may decide his future, as of now it’s safe to assume he won’t factor in to the plans.

Questions will be asked of a number of attackers on the books like Nicolas Jackson (who has been dropped), Noni Madueke (also dropped to the bench recently), Joao Felix, Armando Broja, Datro Fofana, Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu.

A number of them are likely to be loaned out, particularly the young duo of Guiu and George with Madueke currently on the brink of a move to Arsenal. Jackson is unlikely to be too happy with Pedro and Delap starting over him so while things are quiet now, the window can move quickly and we don’t expect him to start the campaign as a blue.

That would leave the attacking core as:

• Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
• Joao Pedro
• Liam Delap
• Cole Palmer
• Pedro Neto
• Estevao
• Christopher Nkunku (no credible exit links as of now)
• Enzo Fernandez (has been used as a 10 recently)
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (emergency winger option)

Full Squad

Based on our positional analysis, the current projected Chelsea squad for next season is:

• Rob Sanchez
• Filip Jorgensen
• Gaga Slonina
• Marc Cucurella
• Levi Colwill
• Benoit Badiashile
• Aaron Anselmino
• Mamadou Sarr
• Tosin Adarabioyo
• Wesley Fofana
• Trevoh Chalobah
• Reece James
• Malo Gusto
• Moises Caicedo
• Romeo Lavia
• Enzo Fernandez
• Andrey Santos
• Dario Essugo
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
• Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
• Joao Pedro
• Liam Delap
• Cole Palmer
• Pedro Neto
• Estevao
• Christopher Nkunku