Chelsea’s False Dawn? From Conference Club World Cup Glory to Early Season Struggles
At the start of this season, Chelsea Football Club looked ready to send shockwaves through Europe. Fresh off a UEFA Conference League title and a stunning Club World Cup triumph, the Blues seemed to have rediscovered their winning DNA. Their victory over giants like Bayern Munich and PSG, with Cole Palmer shining on the biggest stage, convinced many that Chelsea were back among the elite.
With momentum on their side, experts, pundits, and fans tipped Chelsea as title contenders. Backed by an ambitious summer transfer window—bringing in the likes of João Pedro, Estevão, Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Jorrel Hato—Enzo Maresca appeared to have the tools to build a squad capable of competing on all fronts.
But reality has been far less glamorous.
A Rocky Start to the Season
As of now, Chelsea trail 1-3 at home to Brighton, marking two defeats and two draws in just six Premier League matches. To make matters worse, their midweek Champions League loss to Bayern raised serious doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level.
The optimism of the summer has quickly given way to questions: Was it too good, too soon for Chelsea fans?
Nicolas Jackson – A Mistake to Let Go?
One of the biggest talking points is the departure of Nicolas Jackson. While far from perfect, his relentless runs and off-the-ball movement created vital space for Cole Palmer to thrive. Without him, Chelsea’s attack often looks static, predictable, and overly reliant on individual brilliance.
Enzo Maresca Feeling the Heat
Manager Enzo Maresca has not hidden his frustration. After narrowly scraping past League One side Lincoln City, he publicly questioned the character and performances of some of his players. It was a rare glimpse into the pressure he is already under in the early stages of his reign.
Too Early to Judge?
Football is unpredictable, and it’s far too early to completely rule Chelsea out. Yet the signs are worrying. A squad packed with young talent and ambition is struggling for consistency, and the gap between expectation and reality is growing wider with every game.
For Chelsea fans, the dream of a title challenge may have to wait—because right now, the Blues are looking more like a project in progress than a finished powerhouse.
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