How to Build Your Chelsea FC Fan Media: A Tactical Checklist for the 2025/26 Season

So you want to cover Chelsea FC in the 2025/26 season? Good luck keeping up. This isn't your dad's Chelsea. The Blues have gone full chaos mode under Todd Boehly—spending heavily on a young squad, cycling through managers, and still competing in cup finals. If you're starting a fan media outlet, a blog, or just want to sound smart in group chats, here's your step-by-step guide to covering one of the most unpredictable clubs in England.

Step 1: Master the Antonio Conte Title Era as Your Historical Anchor

Before you talk about the current situation, you need to understand what Chelsea was. The 2016/17 Premier League title under Antonio Conte isn't just a trophy—it's the blueprint for why this club keeps winning despite itself.

Conte walked into a squad that finished 10th the previous season. He was one game away from getting sacked in September. Then he switched to a 3-4-3 formation, and Chelsea went on a 13-game winning streak. They finished with 93 points, 30 wins, and the league wrapped up by May.

Here's what you need to know for your content:

• The formation switch was the turning point. Conte's 3-4-3 became the template for modern Chelsea tactical flexibility.
• Key players: Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, N'Golo Kanté (PFA Player of the Year, first player to win back-to-back titles with different clubs).
• The legacy: Conte proved Chelsea can rebuild fast. That season set the standard for "win now, ask questions later."

Use this era as a comparison point. When you write about the 2025/26 squad, ask: Does this team have the same tactical clarity Conte's 2016/17 side had? Spoiler: probably not.

Step 2: Break Down the 2025/26 Squad—Young and Expensive

Here's the headline: Chelsea's squad is among the youngest and most expensive in the league, with a significant investment in emerging talent.

What to watch for your coverage:

• Cole Palmer is your star. His goal contributions from midfield are elite. But his assist numbers suggest he's shooting more than passing—is that selfishness or tactical instruction?
• Liam Delap is the breakout. A target man who can also press—rare in modern football.
• Estevão Willian (aka Messinho) is the wildcard. An 18-year-old Brazilian with limited minutes but real hype.

Step 3: Understand the Tactical Changes—Multiple Managers in One Season

Here's where your fan media needs to get sharp. Chelsea started 2025/26 with Enzo Maresca, then switched to an interim manager, and by April, Calum Macfarland was in charge. Macfarland has the team in an FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Maresca's approach (August–December 2025):

• Wanted possession-based football
• Struggled to break down low blocks
• Result: inconsistent results

Interim spell (January–March 2026):

• Tried a more direct style
• Used Delap as a target man, Palmer as a second striker
• Better results in cup competitions, but league form still patchy

Macfarland's tactics (April 2026–present):

• 4-2-3-1 formation with Caicedo and Fernández as double pivot
• Palmer as the No. 10, Garnacho and Neto on the wings
• Defensive solidity improved
• Key question: Can he win the FA Cup to save his job?

For your content:

• Use match footage to analyze Macfarland's setup. Does he press high or sit deep? How does he use Estevão off the bench?
• Compare to Conte's 2016/17: Macfarland has less talent but more tactical flexibility.

Step 4: Cover the Transfer Policy—Boehly's Youth Project

Todd Boehly's strategy is simple: buy every talented player under 25, hope some become stars. It's worked for Cole Palmer. It's worked for Liam Delap.

Notable signings for 2025/26:

• Liam Delap (from Man City)
• João Pedro (from Brighton)
• Estevão Willian (from Palmeiras, joined January 2026)
• Alejandro Garnacho (from Man United)

What to write:

• Profile each signing. Why did Boehly target them? What do they add to the squad?
• Analyze the risk: A squad this young can compete in cup competitions but can it challenge for the Premier League?
• Compare to the Abramovich era: Abramovich bought established stars. Boehly buys potential. Which approach is better for a club with Chelsea's expectations?

Step 5: Create FPL Content That Actually Helps

Fantasy Premier League managers are obsessed with Chelsea because the squad is cheap relative to potential output. Here's your guide for FPL articles:

Top Chelsea picks for 2025/26 (opinion, not guaranteed):

FPL tips for your audience:

• "Don't triple up on Chelsea defenders—they've kept limited clean sheets."
• "Palmer is essential, but watch for rotation in cup weeks."
• "Delap is a budget enabler if you need funds for Haaland."

Step 6: Leverage Chelsea's Trophy History for Context

Your audience loves nostalgia. Use the Chelsea trophy history list to frame current struggles.

Key trophies to reference:

• 2016/17: Premier League (Conte's title)
• Recent years: Conference League, Club World Cup (current squad's first silverware)
• 2025/26: FA Cup final vs Man City (potential redemption)

How to use history:

• "Chelsea have won 6 Premier League titles. This squad isn't close to that level—yet."
• "The Abramovich era saw many major trophies. Boehly has fewer so far. Is that progress?"

Step 7: Write About the Academy with Honesty

Chelsea's academy (Cobham) is famous for producing talent—Mason Mount, Reece James, Conor Gallagher. But in 2025/26, the academy graduates are mostly on loan or sold.

Current academy products in the first team:

• Reece James (captain, but injury-prone)
• Levi Colwill (starting center-back)
• Trevoh Chalobah (rotation option)

What to cover:

• "Is Cobham dying under Boehly?"—The club spent heavily on transfers, but only a few academy players get regular minutes.
• "The loan system is broken"—Chelsea have many players out on loan. How does that help the first team?
• Compare to Conte's 2016/17: That team had 0 academy regulars. Some things never change.

Step 8: Structure Your Content for Maximum Engagement

Your fan media needs a consistent format. Here's what works for Chelsea content:

Article template:

1. Headline (provocative, question-based): "Can Calum Macfarland Save Chelsea's Season?"
2. Opening paragraph (scene-setting): "Three managers, a huge transfer spend, and a squad that looks like a FIFA career mode save. Welcome to Chelsea 2025/26."
3. Data table (squad stats, transfer values, FPL picks)
4. Tactical breakdown (formation diagrams, key player analysis)
5. Historical comparison (Conte era, Abramovich era)
6. Conclusion (prediction or open question)

Summary: Your Chelsea Fan Media Checklist

• Master the Conte 2016/17 title as your historical reference point
• Know the 2025/26 squad—Palmer, Delap, Estevão as key names
• Track the managerial carousel: Maresca → interim → Macfarland
• Analyze Boehly's transfer policy—youth over experience
• Create FPL content with Palmer as essential, Delap as differential
• Reference Chelsea trophy history list for context
• Be honest about the academy's decline
• Use data tables to make your articles scannable

The 2025/26 Chelsea squad is among the most expensive, youngest, and most chaotic in Premier League history. Whether Macfarland wins the FA Cup or gets sacked in May, one thing is certain: your fan media will never run out of material. Now go write something worth reading.