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Features
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Osimhen and Williams IN? Chelsea set for mega window after Champions League qualification
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 26 May 2025 13:49 BST
- 5 min read
Analysis
Two years and over €2 billion later, Chelsea are back in the big time.
A right-footed tap-in from Levi Colwill, following some predatory instincts from the central defender, sealed a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday to secure Chelsea’s place in next season’s Champions League.
Current ETV
Levi Colwill
D (C)
Chelsea
Levi Colwill
D (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€51M - €62.3M
In the end, Chelsea would’ve qualified for Europe’s elite club competition even if they’d drawn at The City Ground, due to other results, but a hard-fought 1-0 victory was a fitting end to a rather turbulent first Premier League campaign under Enzo Maresca.
The Italian lost the faith of Chelsea fans in early 2025, following a dismal run of results that saw them slip away from an unlikely title challenge, however his standing at Stamford Bridge has now levelled and supporters appear to have swayed back onto Maresca’s side in recent weeks.
Attention has quickly turned to the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday, but Chelsea’s defensive revival over the last few weeks deserves praise regardless of how they fare versus Real Betis.
The free-flowing football displayed back in November has worryingly dissipated, however Chelsea kept seven clean sheets in their final 12 league fixtures of the season and that is something Maresca will be buoyed by.
It’s a platform to build on and Chelsea must take their current momentum into the summer window.
Chelsea set for mega summer transfer window
The fact that N’Golo Kante, Conor Gallagher and Kai Havertz lined up in a three-man attack during Chelsea’s most recent Champions League fixture - a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in April 2023 - is testament to the constant upheaval of the Clearlake Capital era at Stamford Bridge, and is proof the starting XI in west London could look entirely different yet again two years down the line.
In fact, it may even look fairly different in just a few short months.
The Blues must navigate the Club World Cup in June, of course, but the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge will already be focused on strengthening the club’s first-team squad ahead of their first Champions League campaign since 2022-23.
The signings of Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo and Kendry Paez have already been confirmed, while Andrey Santos is expected to play a substantial role following a thoroughly impressive 18-month loan stint at Strasbourg.
On the other hand, a plethora of stars will depart, and with no Europa Conference League minutes to hand out, Chelsea need to drastically reduce the size of their first-team squad.
Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka are among the stars expected to be sold on permanent deals, although the Blues may struggle to find suitors willing to match their current wages, which could prove problematic.
Meanwhile, the club are set to bring a new striker, a new left winger and potentially a new central defender to Stamford Bridge before the 2025-26 season kicks off in mid-August.
And securing Champions League qualification means the calibre of their targets should improve.
Nico Williams, for example, is far more likely to join Chelsea now they will be playing in the Champions League, and a move for the Spain star could potentially be on the cards.
A deal for Victor Osimhen could happen too, although Chelsea will need to hijack his proposed move to Saudi Arabia, and they will need to do this quickly as he appears to be on the verge of joining Al-Hilal.
STATS
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Galatasaray
In defence, Chelsea must first focus on reducing their bloated centre-back roster, but a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been lined up as the Blues prepare to bolster the squad at Maresca’s disposal.
The Clearlake Capital era at Chelsea has been remarkably underwhelming, but qualifying for the Champions League is a sure sign of progress. The club mustn’t rest on their laurels though, and building on this achievement by significantly strengthening their first-team squad this summer is a necessity.
Football transfer news headlines today
Victor Osimhen in ‘ADVANCED TALKS’ for big-money move: Nigeria striker lands €50m contract
Liverpool submit €100m offer for Florian Wirtz - Romano
Mohamed Salah admits ‘ONGOING’ Saudi Pro League talks
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