Assessing Chelsea’s start to the new Premier League season

After lifting the Europa Conference League and stunning the world with a 3-0 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, optimism is again bubbling at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have enjoyed a positive pre-season and another summer of heavy investment. With over £200m spent and Joao Pedro already firing, there’s a genuine belief the Blues could finally be turning a corner.

Last season’s fourth-place finish marked progress, but there’s still a sizeable gap to bridge between Chelsea and the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

While a title charge might still be a step too far this early into Maresca’s reign, or at least as far as the early Premier League winner odds are concerned, a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign is vital if the club are to push higher.

And in that regard, the fixture list has been kind. Chelsea don’t leave London for their first four league matches—offering a golden opportunity to build early momentum before a crunch clash with Manchester United in mid-September.

Here’s a breakdown of their first five games.

1. Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

A London derby to kick off the season. Palace are the reigning FA Cup holders and are never an easy opponent under Oliver Glasner, but this is a winnable home opener. Joao Pedro has looked sharp in pre-season, and Maresca will want a fast start to quiet any early pressure. Three points here could set the tone for the weeks ahead.

2. West Ham vs Chelsea

The short trip to the London Stadium is rarely straightforward. Former Blues boss Graham Potter is prepping for his first full season in charge, and the Hammers always raise their game for this fixture. However, Chelsea will back themselves to dominate possession under Maresca’s control-based system. This could be a real test of how far they’ve come since the chaos of previous seasons.

3. Chelsea vs Fulham

Fulham are another local rival who, on paper, Chelsea should beat—avenging last season’s Boxing Day defeat on home soil. If the attack clicks, this will be an opportunity to impose their style and rack up goals. If Chelsea can come into this one with at least four points from the first two, fans will expect a convincing performance.

4. Brentford vs Chelsea

Brentford have been gutted over the summer. Thomas Frank has joined Spurs, Bryan Mbeumo is now at Manchester United, Christian Norgaard has moved to Arsenal, and Yoane Wissa is reportedly on the way out. This represents a major opportunity for Chelsea to take advantage of a club in transition. But away days at the Gtech are rarely routine, and underestimating the Bees would be a mistake.

5. Manchester United vs Chelsea

A true test of Chelsea’s progress. By mid-September, new signings should be well embedded, but Old Trafford remains a difficult place to visit—especially with United hungry to bounce back after last season’s disastrous finish. Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are still a work in progress, though, and if Chelsea arrive unbeaten, they may well fancy their chances.