Chelsea Squad Depth 2025/26: Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s be honest: when you look at Chelsea’s squad for the 2025/26 season, it’s like staring at a puzzle that’s missing a few edge pieces. On paper, the Blues boast a roster that is among the most expensive young squads in Premier League history, with an average age of around 23. But potential doesn’t win trophies on its own. As we head into the final stretch under interim manager Calum Macfarland, it’s time to break down where this squad excels and where it’s vulnerable. Grab your notebook—this is your checklist for understanding Chelsea’s depth.

Goalkeepers: Stability or Liability?

The depth chart: Robert Sánchez (starter), Filip Jörgensen (backup), and a rotating cast of academy prospects.

Sánchez has been solid but not spectacular. His shot-stopping is reliable, but distribution under pressure remains a concern—especially when Macfarland wants to build from the back. Jörgensen offers a different profile: quicker off his line, better with his feet, but prone to the occasional howler. If Sánchez picks up a knock, Chelsea’s defensive structure becomes shakier.

Checklist for this position:

• ✅ Sánchez stays healthy and consistent through May
• ❌ No reliable third-choice if both are injured
• ✅ Jörgensen’s cup performances have been encouraging

Verdict: Adequate, but not elite. If Chelsea want to challenge for top four next season, they’ll need a long-term upgrade.

Defense: Youthful Promise, Veteran Gaps

The backline is where Todd Boehly’s youth-first philosophy shines—and occasionally burns. Levi Colwill is the anchor: composed on the ball, strong in duels, and only 22. Reece James, when fit, is still one of the best right-backs in the league. Marc Cucurella brings energy and tactical flexibility, while Trevoh Chalobah offers experience and aerial dominance.

The problem: Depth behind them is thin. If James misses games—which he has—there’s no natural replacement. Cucurella’s backup is either a converted midfielder or an untested academy kid. Chalobah’s injury record adds another layer of risk.

Checklist:

• ✅ Colwill is developing into a leader
• ❌ Right-back depth is a ticking time bomb
• ✅ Cucurella’s versatility helps in tight matches

Verdict: Solid starters, but one injury away from a crisis. Expect Boehly to target a full-back in the summer window.

Midfield: The Engine Room—or the Weak Link?

Here’s where things get interesting. Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s creative heartbeat, pulling strings from the No. 10 role. Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo form a dynamic double pivot: Enzo with his passing range, Caicedo with his ball-winning. On paper, it’s a midfield that should dominate.

But: Caicedo’s form has been inconsistent, and Enzo’s defensive work rate can leave gaps. Behind them, there’s no proven backup for the No. 6 role. If Caicedo gets suspended or injured, Macfarland has to shuffle the formation or rely on an untested youngster.

Checklist for midfield:

• ✅ Palmer is undroppable—most creative player in the squad
• ❌ No reliable defensive midfielder behind Caicedo
• ✅ Enzo’s goal-scoring run has been a pleasant surprise

Verdict: A top-four caliber midfield when everyone’s fit, but depth is one injury away from exposing a weakness. For more on how Chelsea’s midfield sets up, check our midfield formation analysis.

Attack: Quantity Over Quality?

Chelsea’s forward line is a mix of high-ceiling talent and unproven potential. Liam Delap leads the line—a physical, pressing striker who’s still learning to finish consistently. João Pedro offers flair and link-up play, while Alejandro Garnacho brings pace and directness on the wing. Pedro Neto is the wildcard: electric when fit, but injury-prone.

Then there’s the young guns: Estevão Willian (still just 18) and a handful of academy products. The squad’s average age of 23 is both a strength (energy, adaptability) and a weakness (inexperience in big moments).

Checklist:

• ✅ Delap has shown flashes of being a 15-goal striker
• ❌ No proven 20-goal scorer in the squad
• ✅ Garnacho’s pace is a weapon against tired legs
• ❌ Neto can’t be relied on for 30+ games

Verdict: Exciting, but raw. Chelsea need a veteran forward who can guarantee 15+ goals in a season. For context on how this compares to other Premier League squads, read our piece on the youngest squad in the league.

Tactical Flexibility Under Macfarland

Since taking over in April 2026, Calum Macfarland has favored a 4-2-3-1 that maximizes Palmer’s creativity while giving Delap a clear target role. The system works when the midfield presses high and the full-backs push up—but it leaves gaps in transition.

What’s working:

• Palmer as a free-roaming No. 10
• Cucurella’s inverted runs into midfield
• Colwill stepping out to break lines

What’s not:

• Caicedo isolated against fast counters
• James’ absence forces Gusto into a role he’s not suited for
• No natural backup for the 6 position

Checklist for Macfarland:

• ✅ Keep Palmer central, not wide
• ❌ Don’t rely on high line without Caicedo screening
• ✅ Use Garnacho’s pace off the bench in the last 20 minutes

The FA Cup Final: A Stress Test

Chelsea are reportedly set to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final—a match that could reveal everything about this squad’s depth. City’s relentless pressing will expose Chelsea’s defensive gaps. If James is fit, Chelsea have a chance. If not, Macfarland will need a tactical masterclass.

Key battles:

• Colwill vs Haaland: Can the young center-back handle the physical duel?
• Palmer vs Rodri: Chelsea’s creator vs City’s destroyer
• Delap vs Dias: A test of whether Delap can outmuscle elite defenders

Checklist for the final:

• ✅ Start Palmer in the hole, not on the wing
• ❌ Avoid playing high line if Caicedo is isolated
• ✅ Bring Garnacho on at 60 minutes to exploit tired legs

Squad Valuation vs. Performance

Let’s talk numbers. Chelsea’s squad is among the most valuable in the league—but they’re not in the top four. That gap between investment and output is the story of the season. For comparison, City’s squad is also highly valued, but they’re competing for the title. The difference? Experience and structure.

The takeaway: Chelsea’s youth is a long-term asset, but in the short term, it costs them points. The question is whether Boehly will stay patient or make another splash in the summer window.

Final Verdict: What Chelsea Need for 2026/27

If you’re building a checklist for next season, here’s what the squad needs:

1. A proven goalscorer – Delap is promising, but Chelsea need a 20-goal striker.
2. Defensive depth – A reliable backup for James and a second-choice center-back.
3. Midfield balance – A defensive midfielder who can cover Caicedo without a drop-off.
4. Veteran leadership – One or two players with 200+ Premier League games to steady the ship.

The bottom line: Chelsea’s squad is the most exciting young group in the league—but potential doesn’t win silverware. The FA Cup final will be a litmus test. If Macfarland can guide this team to a trophy, it’ll validate Boehly’s vision. If not, it’s back to the drawing board.

For more tactical breakdowns and squad analysis, check our tactics and management hub.