Chelsea 2026/27 Premier League preview: Odds, squad and predictions

• Chelsea's 2025/26 Premier League finish: 10th

It was another underwhelming campaign in the BlueCo era at Chelsea in 2025/26, with the Blues finishing 10th after a season marked by managerial turmoil.

They had a solid start under Enzo Maresca and looked like title contenders in the first half of the season, before a poor run of form in December coincided with Maresca falling out with the board, resulting in his departure.

His replacement Liam Rosenior was out of his depth and sacked after just three months in the job, with interim coach Calum McFarlane guiding them through to the end of the season.

Chelsea's top-flight success has nearly entirely come in the Premier League era, following their 2003 takeover by Roman Abramovich. They are joint-seventh on the all-time list with six league titles.

Five of those are Premier League titles, which gives them the third-most after the two Manchester clubs. However, Chelsea are entering their tenth season since they last won the Premier League back in 2016/17 under Antonio Conte.

Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market once again, already completing the signings of seven first-team players. The most eye-catching of those is the £117m capture of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, becoming the most expensive British player ever in the process. It will be fascinating to see how he dovetails with close friend and former Man City academy teammate Cole Palmer, who remains Chelsea's undoubted star despite missing out on England's World Cup squad.

In defence, Xabi Alonso has had his squad reinforced in the shape of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and Marco Palestra from Atalanta, although World Cup-winning left back Marc Cucurella will be a big loss to Real Madrid. Keeping captain Reece James fit will be key to Chelsea's chances. It remains to be seen whether Alonso will play with a back three as he did at Bayer Leverkusen or a four as in Madrid, with The Blues lining up in a 4-2-3-1 in pre-season so far.

Enzo Fernandez continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, but his midfield partner Moises Caicedo has developed into one of the Premier League's best defensive midfielders. Romeo Lavia has plenty of talent but is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Chelsea, and while the addition of Jordan Henderson is expected to provide experience, another new midfielder is likely to be on the agenda at Stamford Bridge.

Up front, Joao Pedro is expected to lead the line after an impressive debut season at Chelsea after his move from Brighton. The versatile Brazilian forward scored 15 Premier League goals and 20 in all competitions amid a gloomy campaign for his club. Liam Delap struggled in his first season in west London, and two new strikers have already joined in the form of Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg. Nicolas Jackson has also returned from his loan at Bayern Munich and could be reintegrated into the squad.

Chelsea 2026/27 Premier League squad

Manager: Xabi Alonso

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gaga Slonina

Defenders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Marco Palestra, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Wesley Fofana, Aaron Anselmino, Jorrel Hato, Valentin Barco

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson, Reggie Watson, Omari Kellyman, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Geovany Quenda

Forwards: Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Jamie Gittens, Danny Welbeck, Mykhailo Mudryk, Estevao Willian, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

• GK: Robert Sanchez

• RB: Reece James

• CB: Maxence Lacroix

• CB: Levi Colwill

• LB: Jorrel Hato

• CM: Moises Caicedo

• CM: Enzo Fernandez

• RM: Estevao Willian

• AM: Cole Palmer

• LM: Morgan Rogers

• ST: Joao Pedro

Key Fixtures

Chelsea start their season with the West London derby at Craven Cottage against Fulham, with the latest Fulham vs Chelsea odds having Alonso's side favourites to start his reign with a win. Their first match at Stamford Bridge sees them take on Brighton, before a tricky trip to reigning champions Arsenal in GW3.

Blues fans always look for their games against Tottenham, with the home match taking place on October 24th and the away fixture on May 8th. That game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is part of a tricky run-in, which sees them host Man City and travel to Liverpool in the two weeks beforehand.

On Boxing Day, Chelsea are scheduled to travel to Frank Lampard's Coventry City, which will provide plenty of narrative. The Blues have a tough festive period, also facing Liverpool, Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle during a run of seven Premier League games in a month.

Chelsea Premier League prediction

For all the chaos of this current ownership's reign at Chelsea, they have landed one of the most highly-rated young coaches of his generation in Xabi Alonso and may finally have found the man to guide their project to silverware.

Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten domestic season in 2023/24, winning their first ever Bundesliga title alongside lifting the DFB-Pokal and reaching the final of the Europa League. His spell at Real Madrid didn't work out but that is hardly a black mark, and it is a real coup that he has been convinced to come to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have managed just one Champions League campaign since BlueCo took over in 2022, and it is a long jump from a 10th-placed finish back to Europe's top tier. However, Alonso will benefit from the lack of European competition this season, with one game a week allowing plenty of rest and time on the training pitch. This Chelsea side has underachieved but is still packed with world-class talent in the likes of James, Caicedo and Palmer, and Alonso could be the man to get the best out of them.

We think getting back into the Champions League would represent a successful first season in charge for the Spaniard, and we reckon they'll manage just that. We're predicting Chelsea to finish 4th in the 2026/27 Premier League season.

Prediction: 4th

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All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

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