Chelsea aim high in 2025-26 but face UEFA registration hurdles

Chelsea enter the 2025-26 season buoyed by last season’s 4th-place finish in the Premier League and a first-time Champions League qualification under the club’s current ownership era, capped by a Club World Cup triumph this summer. The squad arrives with continued optimism about a sustained push for domestic and European glory, but faces a series of practical and financial hurdles that could shape how far the Blues go in both the Premier League and Europe.

On the pitch, Chelsea’s progress is built on a matured core and a growing group of young talents. Former defender William Gallas, reflecting on the club’s trajectory, suggested that reclaiming the Premier League and the Champions League will require more than a single season of progress. He tempered expectations, saying the team needs to sustain momentum and push the traditional challengers over the next two years, with this season serving as a crucial step forward. The playing squad has expanded under manager Enzo Maresca, including notable arrivals such as Estevao, the 18-year-old Brazilian winger, who arrived amid high expectations after a standout stint with Palmeiras. Estevao has begun integrating into Maresca’s plans,...