The Premier League 2025/26 season is shaping up to be a fascinating one for Chelsea Fantasy Premier League managers. With a young squad and an average age of just 23, the Blues offer plenty of differential potential. But navigating this squad for FPL requires careful thought. Calum Macfarland's appointment as interim manager brought tactical shifts, and the summer transfer window has added more depth. Here's your checklist for building a Chelsea-heavy FPL squad this season.
1. Start with Cole Palmer as Your Core Chelsea Pick
Cole Palmer is the obvious starting point. In recent seasons, he has delivered goals and assists, often playing as the creative hub in the final third. Under Macfarland, Palmer has retained that role, drifting between the right flank and central areas.
- Why pick him: Palmer takes set pieces, including corners and free kicks, and is on penalty duty. His minutes are reliable when fit.
- Watch out: He's priced as a premium midfielder (likely £10.5m+). You'll need to balance your budget around him.
- Check his form: Monitor pre-season friendlies and community shield matches for any signs of rotation or injury.
| Player | Position | Recent PL Goals | Recent PL Assists | FPL Price (est.) | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Palmer | MID | Notable | Notable | £10.5m+ | Set pieces, penalties, creative hub |
| Enzo Fernandez | MID | Notable | Notable | £7.5m | Box-to-box, set pieces |
| Moises Caicedo | MID | Occasional | Occasional | £5.5m | Defensive shield, occasional goals |
| Liam Delap | FWD | Strong at Ipswich | Strong at Ipswich | £7.0m | Target man, aerial threat |
| Joao Pedro | FWD | Strong at Brighton | Strong at Brighton | £7.5m | Link-up play, penalties |
2. Consider Enzo Fernandez as a Mid-Range Differential
Enzo Fernandez enjoyed a strong recent season, with several goals in the Premier League—his best return since joining Chelsea. Under Macfarland, he's been deployed in a slightly advanced midfield role, often arriving late in the box.
- Why pick him: He's cheaper than Palmer and offers goal threat from midfield. He's also on some set pieces.
- Watch out: His minutes can be managed, especially with Caicedo and other midfielders competing for spots. Check for any rotation in early fixtures.
- Budget tip: At an estimated £7.5m, Enzo fits well as a third midfielder in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation.
3. Evaluate the Budget Midfielders: Caicedo and Pedro Neto
Moises Caicedo is a reliable starter but not a points machine. He's a defensive midfielder who occasionally scores. At £5.5m, he's a bench option or a fifth midfielder for budget-conscious managers.
Pedro Neto, meanwhile, offers more attacking threat. He's a winger who can create chances and score, but his injury history is a concern.
- Caicedo: Use him only if you need a cheap enabler. He's not a captaincy candidate.
- Neto: Monitor his pre-season minutes. If he starts regularly, he's a £6.0m gem with assist potential.
4. Look at the Forward Options: Delap, Joao Pedro, and Estevao
Chelsea's forward line is crowded. Liam Delap joined from Ipswich after a strong goal-scoring season. He's a physical target man who could lead the line. Joao Pedro arrived from Brighton, offering versatility as a forward or attacking midfielder. Estevao Willian, the Brazilian teenager, is raw but exciting.
- Delap: At £7.0m, he's a budget forward with potential. He's likely to start if fit, especially against weaker defenses.
- Joao Pedro: At £7.5m, he's slightly more expensive but offers penalty duty. He's a rotation risk.
- Estevao: Avoid for now. He's a future prospect, not a reliable FPL asset in 2025/26.
| Forward | Price (est.) | Recent Goals | Minutes Risk | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Delap | £7.0m | Strong | Medium | Second forward in 3-4-3 |
| Joao Pedro | £7.5m | Strong | High | Differential captain in good fixtures |
| Estevao Willian | £5.5m | N/A (Brazil) | Very high | Avoid until he's a starter |
5. Assess the Defenders: James, Colwill, and Cucurella
Chelsea's defense is a mixed bag. Reece James is injury-prone but offers attacking threat from right-back. Levi Colwill is a reliable center-back who could score from set pieces. Marc Cucurella is a steady left-back but doesn't offer much attacking output.
- James: High risk, high reward. If he's fit, he's a £6.0m defender with assist potential. But expect rotation.
- Colwill: At £5.0m, he's a solid budget defender. He's likely to start most games.
- Cucurella: At £4.5m, he's a cheap enabler. Don't expect many points.
6. Plan for Rotation Under Macfarland
Calum Macfarland has rotated heavily since taking over. With a young, deep squad, no one is guaranteed 90 minutes every week—except maybe Palmer.
- Check the fixture list: Chelsea's early fixtures include match-coverage-reports against promoted sides and mid-table teams. Target these for Chelsea assets.
- Use the chip strategy: Consider using your Wildcard early if you load up on Chelsea players—rotation could force transfers.
- Monitor cup runs: Check the chelsea-fa-cup-final-2026-predicted-lineup for clues about league rotation.
7. Track Chelsea's League Position for Motivation
Chelsea's Premier League standing will affect player morale and minutes. If they're pushing for top four, Macfarland may play stronger lineups. If they're mid-table, younger players might get more game time.
- Check progress: Use the chelsea-premier-league-2025-26-standings-progress page for weekly updates.
- Avoid panic transfers: Chelsea's young squad can be inconsistent. Don't sell Palmer after one blank game week.
Summary Checklist for Chelsea FPL Managers
| Step | Action | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Add Cole Palmer as your premium midfielder | High |
| 2 | Consider Enzo Fernandez as a mid-range differential | Medium |
| 3 | Budget for Caicedo or Neto as bench options | Low |
| 4 | Pick Delap or Joao Pedro as forward options | Medium |
| 5 | Select Colwill or James for defense | Medium |
| 6 | Plan for rotation—use Wildcard wisely | High |
| 7 | Monitor Chelsea's league position and fixtures | Ongoing |
The key to Chelsea FPL success in 2025/26 is balance. Palmer is essential, Enzo is a strong differential, and Delap could be a budget gem. But don't overload on Blues—rotation will frustrate you. Stick to two or three Chelsea assets, and you'll be set for a strong season.