Chelsea survived a tumultuous 2024, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mauricio Pochettino’s only season at Stamford Bridge ended in May, leaving Chelsea with a managerial vacancy once again.
The Blues decided against the big name and replaced him with Enzo Maresca, who managed Leicester City’s promotion back to the Premier League. The Italian got off to a slow start in West London but has since found his footing, and the future looks bright for the two-time European champions.
While fans can’t wait to find out what 2025 will bring, let’s take a closer look Chelseais 2024
Even the most ardent football hipster can’t deny that Cole Palmer he has been Chelsea’s shining light in 2024. The Blues have often been a one-man team during the first half of the calendar year, with Palmer’s ingenuity and brilliance relied on at every outing.
The England international has been a sensation since swapping Manchester for the capital at the start of 2023/24, finishing last term as Premier League Young Player of the Season. He has an invaluable ability to make the difficult look easy, regularly leading Chelsea to victory with his goals and assists.
Despite being maligned a lot during his first season at Chelsea, Nicholas Jackson he still served 17 goals last season. That tally was marred by consistent high-profile misses, but the signs were extremely positive for the young player adjusting to life in the world’s hottest league.
Jackson ended last term with four goals in his last five Premier League appearances and continued his stellar goalscoring form at the start of Maresca’s reign. He produced nine goals in 2024 under the Italian coach and transformed himself from an unreliable finisher to a clinical goalscorer.
Chelsea have become famous for recruiting almost exclusively young stars and now they have a squad stacked to the brim with some of Europe’s most impressive talent. However, their leading youngster in 2024 was one of them, with Levi Colwill brilliant for the Blues.
After an impressive loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, Colwill quickly found a starting place in the Chelsea side under Pochettino, a position he has comfortably held since Maresca was appointed.
The England international has the confidence, athleticism and tactical intelligence of a senior star and is a consistent and impressive presence at the heart of a frequently changing back line.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea are the leading scorer who also tops their goalscoring chart. In a ruthless calendar year, Palmer has scored 29 goals in just 47 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, level with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and just nine behind former Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland.
Palmer’s 12 goals in the 2024/25 season. so far means he could still surpass his impressive tally of 25 goals in the 2023/24 season. as he continues to develop into a truly lethal attacking midfielder.
None of Chelsea’s many 2024 signings have yet hit their stride. Most have struggled to break into the star-studded and now established first team, but there have been positive early signs from their most expensive summer recruit, Pedro Neto.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has long been admired by Europe’s elite, but injuries have prevented him from reaching the elite level. Chelsea threw away £54 million over the summer.
Three goals and four assists isn’t a devastating tally for someone of Neto’s quality, but the 24-year-old has the potential and raw talent to come alive in the coming months and years.
Chelsea went trophyless in 2024 and endured some tough times, but there were also some incredibly memorable outings. The Blues often guarded the best of their traditional rivals and managed one of the Premier League’s most incredible comebacks in April.
3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United in dead heat at Stamford Bridge, Palmer goals in 100th and 101st minutes ensured an incredible victory of 4-3. It was the highlight of an often hit-and-miss year and a game that will live long in the memory.
