With preseason around the corner, there are many returning Chelsea players aiming to impress new head coach Enzo Maresca. Who has a good chance of breaking into the first team, and who will most likely fall in the pecking order?
Assessing First Team Opportunities for Returning Chelsea Players
Reece James – 9
Club captain Reece James had a very frustrating 2023/24 campaign mostly sidelined through injury. After initially refusing to do so in the offseason, Reece opted to have surgery on his hamstring in hopes of reducing his injury woes. This wasn’t an outlier, too. The Englishman’s career is plagued with issues that’s led to inconsistent time on the pitch.
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However, when fit, James has shown his ability to be among the best right-backs in Europe. His versatility will also benefit Maresca’s fluid tactical system, allowing the Italian flexibility to fit him into his best backline. Furthermore, his influence as club captain will provide a massive sense of leadership for a squad full of young players. Raised in Cobham since the age of six, no one knows what it takes to represent Chelsea more than the captain.
Romeo Lavia – 8
Romeo Lavia will basically feel like a new signing. After completing a £58 million move to London last summer, the Belgian defensive midfielder only played 32 total minutes for the Blues. The rest of his time in London was spent rehabilitating multiple different injuries, including an ankle and hamstring injury sustained during training.
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Similar to teammate Cole Palmer, Lavia has already worked with Maresca during his time in Manchester City’s academy. Consequently, he already has experience with his coaching philosophy and principles. Such experience will help ease the transition of learning new tactics and getting up to the speed of the game. Additionally, Maresca’s holding midfield role suits Lavia very well, ensuring that the 20-year-old will have a role to fill next term.
Christopher Nkunku – 8
Although Nkunku’s profile doesn’t exactly fit into the system, his sheer talent alone justifies significant involvement in Chelsea’s 2024/25 campaign. Nkunku missed most of last season after picking up a long-term knee injury last preseason while also struggling with hip and hamstring issues later on.
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However, the Frenchman’s brief return to action brought another dangerous dynamic to Chelsea’s attack. Nkunku’s eye for goal and enterprising link-up play will pose a threat wherever he’s deployed on the team sheet.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Fofana has the potential to become one of the most dominant center-backs in England, but his injury record is very concerning. The former Leicester player missed the entirety of Pochettino’s tenure from an ACL tear and suffered a broken leg before joining Chelsea. As a result, Fofana only played 15 times for the Blues in two years.
If Fofana is able to return to his pre-injury form, Chelsea would have a physically dominant rock at the back whose talent justifies a starting position. However, that’s a massive if. ACL injuries typically take a long time to recover from, and many players aren’t the same after coming back. Game time will likely be sparse with seven centre backs on the roster, allowing Fofana adequate time to recover but also posing a challenge to join the starting 11.
Ben Chilwell – 5
Arguably the most polarizing player for Chelsea during the start of Maresca’s tenure is Ben Chilwell. Similar to his English fullback counterpart, Chilwell’s Chelsea career has been plagued with injuries resulting in constantly fluctuating form.
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One of the main reasons why he will likely encounter difficulties cementing a spot in the starting 11 is due to Maresca’s tactical system. Given Maresca’s use of inverted fullbacks, Chilwell’s more traditional fullback profile does not suit the Italian’s tactics.
Marc Cucurella’s late-season resurgence under Pochettino and for Spain further weakens Chilwell’s chances of first-team football. Although given his role as vice-captain and with only two recognized left-backs on the roster, Chilwell will still likely find minutes on the pitch this season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 3
What a fall from grace for the former world-record goalkeeper signing. After a promising debut campaign under Sarri, the Spanish international’s Chelsea career has been downhill since.
A season-long loan spell at European champions Real Madrid did not help to raise his stocks either. As a backup to Courtois, he was eventually surpassed by Andriy Lunin. Similarly, no role is expected for the Spaniard at Chelsea as he is bound to depart the club this summer.
Romelu Lukaku – 2
The fate of Chelsea’s record striker signing was sealed from the moment his infamous interview with Sky Sports aired. All bridges were burned between supporters and Lukaku, spoiling any chance for a fairytale reunion following the Belgian’s return to Stamford Bridge in 2021.
Despite Chelsea’s need for a striker to compete with Nicolas Jackson, there is no chance Lukaku will fill that role. He is instead expected to flee to Italy yet again after returning from a loan spell with AS Roma.
Andrey Santos – 7
After a successful loan at Strasbourg, many reports are already suggesting that Andrey Santos may have a role to play under Maresca this season. Santos accrued prestigious accolades during his time in France, including the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month and Strasbourg Player of the Month awards, suggesting that he may be ready for the first team.
Although there is a lot of competition for minutes in midfield, Santos’s versatility to play in multiple different midfield roles will add valuable rotation depth.
Angelo Gabriel – 4
With notable right-wing competition at Chelsea, Angelo is expected to go on loan again following his inconsistent stint at Strasbourg.
