As busy as ever in the summer window, as per tradition, Chelsea’s 2024/25 squad is starting to shape up. Here, we will look at Chelsea’s options in each position, as well as those currently linked to the London side.
Goalkeepers
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga was shuffling with Édouard Mendy for the number-one spot for almost the entirety of two seasons before Kepa earned it back from the Senegalese. Mendy then left to play for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro-League. Kepa too did not stay at Chelsea, as he was loaned to Real Madrid for the 2023/24 season.
He was loaned as a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois but was still not a regular starter. Instead, he ended up shuffling for the starting spot with Andriy Lunin in the early parts of the season, before Carlo Ancelotti eventually settled for Lunin who had consistently performed better in goal.
Kepa is set to return to Chelsea now that the 2023/24 season is over. However, the Spaniard is keen on staying at Real Madrid. Chelsea too do not seem to keen on the return of the Spaniard, and may soon finalize a deal on the situation.
Robert Sánchez
Signed from Brighton, Robert Sánchez took the number one spot from his fellow countryman for the 2023/24 season. He started out his Chelsea campaign decently, showing potential. He however got injured in December and as a result got sidelined for the rest of the season, making two appearances later in the FA Cup before getting injured again and missing the rest of the season.
Đorđe Petrović
In his place was Serbian Đorđe Petrović signed from the MLS. Petrović’s signing was well accepted by the fans, as his height and long arms looked impenetrable. He was also known to be a good penalty-shot stopper. When he stepped up in place of the injured Sánchez, the 24-year-old proved to be a worthy signing. Although not perfect, he showed great glimpses of star quality. A memorable moment from him was when he saved a penalty against Newcastle to send Chelsea to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Sanchez should be back to fitness for the start of the season. New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will have to decide on who to start. It will be no easy choice as although Sanchez set himself as the number one of the Blues, Sánchez stepped up and filled his shoes mightily.
Marcus Bettinelli
On the bench for Chelsea is Marcus Bettineli. The Englishman has only made one appearance for the Blues. This was back in January 2022, in the 5–1 FA Cup third-round win against Chesterfield at Stamford Bridge. He signed a contract extension in March of 2023, keeping him at Chelsea until the summer of 2026.
Potential Signing
Since November last year, Chelsea have been linked to Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Costa is currently a starter for the Portugal national team at the 2024 Euros, and may make his decision after the conclusion of the tournament, should the rumours be concrete.
Defence
Ben Chilwell
Chelsea might be in desperate need of a left-back. Their main left-back is vice-captain Ben Chilwell. The issue here is that Chilwell is injury-prone. Since he has joined Chelsea, he has been in and out of Chelsea’s rehabilitation centre. Chelsea’s second option at left-back was Ian Maatsen. However, he was unused for most of the first half of the season by Mauricio Pochettino. A large number of times, whenever Maatsen was played, he was not put on as a left-back.
Maatsen was then loaned to Borussia Dortmund for the second part of the season. There the left-back flourished. He scored and assisted twice in the Bundesliga. In the UEFA Champions League, he scored once against Atlético Madrid. Dortmund refused to pay the release clause to sign him permanently. As a result, Chelsea have reportedly brokered a £37.5 million 6-year deal with Aston Villa for Maatseen.
This now means that Chelsea remain without a natural left-back in the absence of Ben Chilwell.
Marc Cucurella
Taking up the left-back role in the second half of the season was Marc Cucurella who joined ahead of the 2022/23 season from Brighton. Cucurella struggled in his first season and was about to move to Manchester United in the early parts of the 2023/24 season. He has since stepped up though, being one of Chelsea’s better players, especially since the second half of the season.
Marc Cucurella is the highest rated full-back at #EURO2024 so far (7.68). 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JLGfmhR7Sb
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 28, 2024
Although a natural centre-back, Cucurella has been superb in the left-back role in 2024. When Pochettino decided to play him as an inverted midfielder from the left-back role was a tactical masterclass that turned Chelsea’s season around towards the end. Playing for Spain in the 2024 Euros, Cucurella has been an incredible left-back for his nation.