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Liam Delap leads new look Chelsea in near £100m summer overhaul with more signings to follow
Less than two weeks have passed since their 2024/25 season ended, but Chelsea are already focused on the next campaign. Champions League qualification and a UEFA Conference League title spelled a successful end to the Blues’ first year under Enzo Maresca. Chelsea will enter next season as Conference League championsGetty But after so much domestic and European success since the turn of the century, Chelsea will be desperate to go a step further in 2026. This summer’s Club World Cup will be the ideal platform for Maresca to deliver a winning mentality before the new season begins. Los Angeles FC, Brazilian club Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis are their four group stage opponents in the reformatted tournament stateside. Chelsea have already strengthened before their opening match with the £30million signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. Personal terms have been agreed with Jamie Gittens, even though several bids have been rejected. But talkSPORT understands there’s optimism the deal will get done. Meanwhile, a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan collapsed on the June 10 transfer deadline. Chelsea refused to meet Milan’s £25m demand and walked away from the deal. talkSPORT.com has evaluated how the Chelsea starting XI could look for the 2025/26 campaign if all three transfer deals cross the line. New season, new goalkeeper? For a fourth consecutive season, the west London giants might be set for a new first-choice goalkeeper. Edouard Mendy excelled in their Champions League winning run in 2021 and remained in between the sticks for the following year. Kepa Arrizabalaga, who’s close to signing for Arsenal, then regained the role for much of their disastrous 2022/23 campaign. Djordje Petrovic became the trusted man under Mauricio Pochettino over Robert Sanchez, who is their most recent starting goalkeeper. Maresca will hope to build upon a successful first season at the clubGetty GettyThe Maignan deal collapse has given Chelsea a predicament in goal[/caption] But that did not stop the Blues looking for a new goalkeeper, however, a deal for Maignan collapsed on the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline day. The Frenchman had already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, who wanted to complete a deal before the Club World Cup. However, that did not happen and it remains to be seen if they will revisit the move at a later date. Four at the back Club captain Reece James enjoyed an upturn in fitness, but was still protected by Maresca and made just 12 Premier League starts. However, he changed the game for Chelsea against Real Betis in the Conference League final when coming on in the second half. James also produced a delightful assist in the 1-0 home win against Manchester United just days before and is worthy of more starts. James and Cucurella are crucial to the Blues defenceGetty Colwill and Fofana could add to their 14 appearances togetherGetty Fellow Cobham academy graduate Levi Colwill had arguably his best season yet at centre-back. His goal on the final day against Nottingham Forest sealed the top five finish that confirmed their return to Champions League football. Whilst he may be a guaranteed starter, his central defensive partner for the new season remains unconfirmed and open for debate. Tosin Adarabioyo has impressed since his free transfer from Fulham, as has Trevoh Chalobah after he returned early from his Crystal Palace loan. Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly interested in Chalobah, even though The Daily Telegraph also say Chelsea are not actively seeking a sale. They also say that Wesley Fofana, who underwent hamstring surgery in April, is due to join Colwill at centre-back when he returns. Chelsea 2025 summer transfer rumours so far Signings: Liam Delap – Ipswich Town – £30m – completed Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund – c. £30m – in talks Mike Maignan – AC Milan – c. £15m – collapsed Mohammed Kudus – West Ham – players plus cash – rejected Departures: Raheem Sterling – set for talks on future Axel Disasi – set to find new club Ben Chilwell – up for sale Armando Broja – up for sale Alfie Gilchrist – up for sale Kendry Paez – loan likely Mathis Amougou – loan to Strasbourg likely Axel Disasi looks set to find a new club, with Benoit Badiashile’s future also uncertain heading into the summer window. One of the most nailed-on starters for Chelsea comes at left-back in the form of a much-improved Marc Cucurella. He was arguably one of their best players this season having added seven goals to his high work rate and defensive awareness. In the middle Moises Caicedo was crowned Chelsea’s Player of the Season after an outstanding year of performances in west London. The Ecuadorian won countless duels and tackles in the Blues midfield, and started all 38 o
Less than two weeks have passed since their 2024/25 season ended, but Chelsea are already focused on the next campaign.
Champions League qualification and a UEFA Conference League title spelled a successful end to the Blues’ first year under Enzo Maresca.
But after so much domestic and European success since the turn of the century, Chelsea will be desperate to go a step further in 2026.
This summer’s Club World Cup will be the ideal platform for Maresca to deliver a winning mentality before the new season begins.
Los Angeles FC, Brazilian club Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis are their four group stage opponents in the reformatted tournament stateside.
Chelsea have already strengthened before their opening match with the £30million signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
Personal terms have been agreed with Jamie Gittens, even though several bids have been rejected. But talkSPORT understands there’s optimism the deal will get done.
Meanwhile, a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan collapsed on the June 10 transfer deadline.
Chelsea refused to meet Milan’s £25m demand and walked away from the deal.
talkSPORT.com has evaluated how the Chelsea starting XI could look for the 2025/26 campaign if all three transfer deals cross the line.
New season, new goalkeeper?
For a fourth consecutive season, the west London giants might be set for a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Edouard Mendy excelled in their Champions League winning run in 2021 and remained in between the sticks for the following year.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, who’s close to signing for Arsenal, then regained the role for much of their disastrous 2022/23 campaign.
Djordje Petrovic became the trusted man under Mauricio Pochettino over Robert Sanchez, who is their most recent starting goalkeeper.
But that did not stop the Blues looking for a new goalkeeper, however, a deal for Maignan collapsed on the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline day.
The Frenchman had already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, who wanted to complete a deal before the Club World Cup.
However, that did not happen and it remains to be seen if they will revisit the move at a later date.
Four at the back
Club captain Reece James enjoyed an upturn in fitness, but was still protected by Maresca and made just 12 Premier League starts.
However, he changed the game for Chelsea against Real Betis in the Conference League final when coming on in the second half.
James also produced a delightful assist in the 1-0 home win against Manchester United just days before and is worthy of more starts.
Fellow Cobham academy graduate Levi Colwill had arguably his best season yet at centre-back.
His goal on the final day against Nottingham Forest sealed the top five finish that confirmed their return to Champions League football.
Whilst he may be a guaranteed starter, his central defensive partner for the new season remains unconfirmed and open for debate.
Tosin Adarabioyo has impressed since his free transfer from Fulham, as has Trevoh Chalobah after he returned early from his Crystal Palace loan.
Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly interested in Chalobah, even though The Daily Telegraph also say Chelsea are not actively seeking a sale.
They also say that Wesley Fofana, who underwent hamstring surgery in April, is due to join Colwill at centre-back when he returns.
Chelsea 2025 summer transfer rumours so far
Signings:
- Liam Delap – Ipswich Town – £30m – completed
- Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund – c. £30m – in talks
- Mike Maignan – AC Milan – c. £15m – collapsed
- Mohammed Kudus – West Ham – players plus cash – rejected
Departures:
- Raheem Sterling – set for talks on future
- Axel Disasi – set to find new club
- Ben Chilwell – up for sale
- Armando Broja – up for sale
- Alfie Gilchrist – up for sale
- Kendry Paez – loan likely
- Mathis Amougou – loan to Strasbourg likely
Axel Disasi looks set to find a new club, with Benoit Badiashile’s future also uncertain heading into the summer window.
One of the most nailed-on starters for Chelsea comes at left-back in the form of a much-improved Marc Cucurella.
He was arguably one of their best players this season having added seven goals to his high work rate and defensive awareness.
In the middle
Moises Caicedo was crowned Chelsea’s Player of the Season after an outstanding year of performances in west London.
The Ecuadorian won countless duels and tackles in the Blues midfield, and started all 38 of their Premier League fixtures.
Enzo Fernandez is another South American to have showcased his quality despite previous concerns over his place in the side.
With eight goals and 14 assists across all competitions, the World Cup winner has formed a strong partnership alongside Caicedo.
Another guaranteed name in the starting XI is Cole Palmer, who faced a tough second half of the season by his standards.
The 22-year-old assisted two goals in their turnaround against Betis and sits on a total of 67 goal contributions in two seasons at Chelsea.
Attacking additions
Delap has joined Chelsea after his debut Premier League season that also attracted transfer interest from Newcastle and Manchester United.
He scored 12 goals for the relegated Ipswich, with one coming against his new club during a 2-0 win at Portman Road in December.
The Englishman is set to miss the U21 Euros this summer to instead play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
Delap will likely compete with Nicolas Jackson for the starting spot at striker, though Maresca’s side are reportedly eyeing another addition.
Christopher Nkunku will leave this summer whilst Joao Felix, who is also versatile, endured a disappointing loan spell at Milan.
With Jadon Sancho heading back to United and Mykhailo Mudryk still suspended, Gittens will become a new left wing option for Chelsea.
After a brief spell in the Blues academy, he joined the youth set-up at Manchester City before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Gittens has totalled 31 goal contributions in 107 senior appearances in Germany, with Chelsea understood to be confident on closing a deal.
Maresca has two solid players to choose from for the right-wing spot, one of which is Pedro Neto.
The Portuguese international only scored four league goals but his nine assists in all competitions was the fourth highest at the club.
Neto’s fantastic crossing ability could get the best out of Delap, or it may be Noni Madueke who’s given the nod to start next season.
He finished only behind Palmer and Jackson on seven league goals, and is arguably the more direct option out of the two.
