Chelsea 2024-25 Premier League season preview: Signings, key player and one to kick on

Last season’s league position: Sixth

Top-scorer: Cole Palmer (25)

Most appearances (all comps): Conor Gallagher (50)

Players in: Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham, free), Omari Kellyman (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Marc Guiu (Barcelona, undisclosed), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester, undisclosed), Renato Veiga (Basel, undisclosed) Caleb Wiley (Atlanta, undisclosed)) Filip Jorgensen (Villarreal, undisclosed), Aaron Anselmino (Boca Juniors, undisclosed) Pedro Neto (Wolves, undisclosed)

Players out: Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Lewis Hall (Newcastle, undisclosed), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich, undisclosed), Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray, free), Malang Sarr (Lens, free), Thiago Silva (Fluminese, free), Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United, loan)

KEY PLAYER
ROBERT SANCHEZ
The Spanish goalkeeper has been given the number one spot this season after recovering from injury, and despite the impressive form of his stand-in Djordje Petrovic last term.
Now fully fit, Sanchez will have to prove to the Chelsea faithful that he is the man to lead, shore up the leaky defence and be the starting point for Chelsea’s possession play.

ONE TO KICK ON
ROMEO LAVIA
An injury last season robbed the Blues of a stylish and competitive defensive midfielder with an eye for a goal – he was set to be the new N’Golo Kante. But his loss allowed Conor Gallagher to take his chance and flourish. The £54m signing from Southampton has played nearly all the minutes in pre-season and looks set to be a mainstay in the potentially ever-changing Chelsea midfield this season.

AREA WITH STRENGTH IN DEPTH
Just about every position on the field three times over – with the exception of an out-and-out striker.

AREA FOR CONCERN
Up front. Chelsea want to play this possession-at-all-cost style, but lesser opposition will just sit back. A potent striker could compensate in vital moments, but he is yet to materialise.

YOUNGSTER WHO CAN KICK ON
They are all youngsters – so, just about anyone. But Noni Madueke could be the one to emulate Cole Palmer from last term. The winger, 22, just needs to add a clinical edge to his final pass.

PLAYER WHO COULD LOOK FOR AN EXIT
Raheem Sterling, if someone can afford his wages – maybe a club from the Middle East?

VERDICT ON THE BOSS
New blood, but yet to prove himself on the big stage. Enzo Maresca almost blew it for Leicester in their Championship promotion run-in, and his less than flexible tactical approach could catch the Blues out on a regular basis
They call him Pep-si light, because he looks, acts and worked with Pep Guardiola…Hmmm.

OPENING FIXTURES
August 16 – Manchester United A (Premier League) 8pm
August 24 – Leicester City H (Premier League) 3pm
August 31 – Ipswich Town A (Premier League) 3pm