Chelsea Files: Semenyo Reveals He's a Lifelong Blues Supporter as Maresca Takes a Swipe at Club Executives Ahead of Transfer Window

Table of Contents

• Season Review
• Impact of Injuries
• Future Prospects
• Player Highlights
• Manager Comments
• Team Bonding
• Youth Performance

No matter how you analyze it, Chelsea's Premier League season thus far represents a regression.

After 17 matches in the 2024/25 season, the Blues found themselves in second place with 35 points, trailing four points behind league leaders Liverpool, who had a game in hand that they subsequently won.

Chelsea are currently performing worse than at this time last seasonCredit: Alamy The Blues have missed Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill for a significant portion of the seasonCredit: Getty

Currently, Enzo Maresca's squad sits in fourth place with 29 points, 10 points behind the top team.

Sometimes, the fixture schedule can produce unexpected results.

However, when comparing Chelsea's results with the same fixtures from last season—replacing newly-promoted teams like Sunderland with Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton—they are underperforming.

From the same matches in 2024/25, Maresca's team had accumulated 34 points.

Three of those additional points stemmed from a better record against the promoted teams.

Despite losing to Ipswich, they convincingly defeated Southampton at home and triumphed at Leicester. This season, they have won against Burnley but suffered defeats to Sunderland and Leeds.

There is a belief that Chelsea has fared better this season against “bigger” clubs.

This holds true regarding performances, particularly considering the victory against Liverpool.

However, in the Premier League thus far, the Blues have garnered the same amount of points from encounters with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Newcastle.

They drew at home against Arsenal, defeated Liverpool at home, and won at Spurs, mirroring last season's results.

Their 2-1 loss at United in September contrasts with a draw there last season but is offset by securing a point at Newcastle with a 2-2 draw, compared to last year’s 2-0 defeat.

It may be more prudent to evaluate how Maresca’s team stacks up against their main rivals after upcoming matches at home against Arsenal and away at Manchester City.

So, what accounts for the decline?

Injuries, along with lingering fatigue from the previous season, are undoubtedly significant factors.

The absence of their key player is especially noteworthy.

In their first 17 games, Chelsea has scored 29 goals, which is eight less than last season (while conceding 17 goals, two fewer).

Although this tally exceeds their expected goals (xG) of 28.6, the creativity and composure of Palmer in front of goal have been sorely missed.

Last season, Palmer participated in all but 48 minutes of Chelsea’s opening 17 Premier League games, completing all 90 minutes 13 times, netting 11 goals and providing six assists.

This season, Palmer has contributed just two goals, limited to seven appearances and 369 minutes of play due to a persistent groin issue and a broken toe.

Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro are Chelsea’s joint-leading scorers in the Premier League, each with five goals.

Joao Pedro has been stepping up in Cole Palmer’s absenceCredit: REUTERS Pedro Neto’s performance has improved as wellCredit: Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Liam Delap’s misfortunes with injuries and the departure of other players have placed significant responsibility on Joao Pedro.