Chelsea spent the summer like a club that’s trying to solve several problems at once: more pace and unpredictability in attack, more variety and youth on the left side of defence, and more forward-thinking midfield options.
The incoming names like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estêvão and others aren’t showy in the way old superstar signings were, but they create a clearer identity, a younger, more balanced squad built to press, move the ball quickly and cause problems across the front third.
That’s the basic idea on paper, anyway. The real test is whether those pieces actually fit together on the pitch when it matters.
Chelsea’s official summer transfer summary lists the signings and squad moves in detail.
This piece walks through what those pieces mean tactically and practically. I’ll outline the most likely starting XIs, explain why some formations is better than others, and be honest about where Chelsea still looks thin, especially after a serious injury to Levi Colwill that affects centre-back planning.
I’ll use manager quotes, club announcements and transfer reporting where it helps. If you’re a Chelsea fan, you’ll find things to be excited about and reasons to keep the kettle on for a few more late-window twists.
Chelsea’s New Backbones and Why Fans Should Care
Chelsea signed a load of young players who can play multiple roles. That’s not a criticism, modern squads need flexibility but it changes how you build a dependable starting XI week in, week out.
Key arrivals to know properly:
• João Pedro a Brazilian forward who can play through the middle or drop into pockets behind the striker. Chelsea confirmed the deal and he’s already made a mark in pre-season / Club World Cup action.
• Liam Delap the England U21 striker who offers a direct central striking option, good in the box and useful for hold-up where needed.
• Jamie Gittens an energetic winger from Dortmund who brings high-wattage wide play and a nose for the box.
• Jorrel Hato a left-sided centre back/left-back from Ajax; left-footed, comfortable in possession and offers a modern profile for a team that wants to progress the ball.
• Estêvão teenage Brazilian attacker with flair and directness; another option to unlock defences through dribble or link play.
• Dário Essugo and Kendry Páez among the midfield/attacking youth signings who bring energy and creative potential.
Those are the building blocks. But there are two huge caveats. First, several of those signings, particularly the young South Americans and some defenders will need time to settle into English football and Maresca’s training patterns and immediately pressing.
Levi Colwill’s ACL injury leaves a hole centrally that Chelsea explicitly acknowledged they may still need to address in the transfer window.
Enzo Maresca said Colwill “is okay but aware that he has to be a long time out” and that the club “know exactly what I am thinking. I think we need a central defender.”
That’s not a small throwaway line, it’ll shape selection and tactics if the club brings another centre-back in before the window closes.
Manager profile and His Style of football
Enzo Maresca is in his second season and, bluntly, this team is his project. He likes organisation, progressive midfield links and a front line that can press and transition quickly.
He’s not a tediously cautious coach, his teams have been aggressive in the press and use quick vertical passing to exploit space.
Whether Maresca prefers a flat back four or a system that allows a ball-playing left-sided centre-back to step into midfield will depend on personnel and opponent, the signings indicate Chelsea want both options to be possible.
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That’s why Jorrel Hato is such an interesting piece. A left-footed centre-back who can also play left-back gives Maresca the structural flexibility to switch between a traditional 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3 or 3-1-4-2 in game without changing personnel drastically.
If the manager wants to invert or progress players through midfield, a left-side center back comfortable on the ball matters more than ever.
The Two Line-Ups Chelsea Might Use and How the New Signings Fit In
I’m going to walk through the two main tactical templates that make sense for Chelsea this season given the arrivals and the injury situation:
1) 4-3-3 (control, width, midfield balance)
This is the normal formation that many Premier League teams use. With this formation Chelsea can keep balance between defensive solidity and attacking width.
Possible starting XI (4-3-3):
• GK: Robert Sánchez (or Filip Jørgensen when needed)
• RB: Reece James (if fit) / alternative depending on fitness
• CBs: Jorrel Hato (left) + Wesley/other senior centre-back (right) — Hato’s left-footedness is key here.
• LB: Marc Cucurella / rotation with academy options
• CM (deep): Moisés Caicedo — shielding the backline, ball progression
• CM (box-to-box): Enzo Fernández — links, late runs
• CM (advanced): Dário Essugo / Mateo Kovacic-style role or Essugo as a rotation option.
• RW: Jamie Gittens — direct, high-energy inversion or wide runs.
• ST: João Pedro (playing slightly behind or through the middle) — offers sharp movement and link-up play.
• LW: Cole Palmer / Estêvão / another wide attacker — depending on who’s available.
Why it fits: 4-3-3 keeps Chelsea’s midfield robust and allows Hato to either play as a classical left-sided CB or step slightly forward to help in progressive build-up.
João Pedro’s ability to operate between the lines suits a wide-front-three that looks to overload half-spaces.
Concerns: Without Colwill, one of the partner centre-backs will have to carry more ball-playing responsibilities or Chelsea must sign a new ball-playing centre-back. Maresca’s own comments flagged that need.
2) 3-4-3 (possession and overload on left)
This gives Chelsea the chance to play Hato higher or as the left-sided central figure in a back three, letting wing-backs provide width.
It’s more adventurous and suits a squad with overlapping wing-backs and a left-sided centre that’s comfortable carrying the ball.
Possible starting XI (3-4-3):
• GK: Robert Sánchez
• CBs: Jorrel Hato (left centre in the back three), a right-sided CB comfortable moving wide, and a central pivot defender (e.g., a seasoned head or Sarr when ready).
• RWB: Reece James (or a rotation)
• LWB: Marc Cucurella / wide player who can get forward
• CM: Caicedo (anchor) + Enzo Fernández (carrier)
• Front three: Gittens (right), João Pedro (false nine / central), Estêvão (left) or Palmer depending on rotation.
Why it fits: Hato in the left slot of a back three allows Chelsea to build through the left and use a variety of attacking angles, while the double pivot keeps cover against counters.
It’s a nice way to get your best youngsters (Gittens/Estêvão) into space without exposing a shaky centre-back partnership.
Concerns: This formation needs excellent wing-back stamina and a center-third defender who won’t panic when forward runners are on.
With Colwill out, the right mix of composure and ball progression is still a question. Injuries or late incomings will determine how often Maresca chooses this.
Who Are The Most Likely Players To Start
I’ll go through the major positions and speak plainly about who will probably start and why, and what questions remain.
Goalkeeper
Robert Sánchez has been in and out of the England conversation and has experience in top-flight setups. Chelsea also have younger keepers being eased in.
This position looks stable on the surface, but the club’s goalkeeper situation was an area of attention earlier in the summer.
Chelsea signed Mike Penders but sent him out on loan, so it’s not a drama but something to keep an eye on for rotation and cup ties.
Centre-back(s)
This is the single most critical area because of Colwill’s injury. Without him, Chelsea have to reconfigure.
Jorrel Hato is an exciting recruit, he’s left-footed, confident on the ball, and can play across the backline. He’ll likely start from day one and be thrown into situations that test his decision-making.
Mamadou Sarr is in the squad picture but was loaned back to Strasbourg, so immediate first-team cover is less straightforward. Chelsea acknowledged publicly they may still recruit a central defender after Colwill’s surgery.
Who partners Hato? There are internal options, more experienced players who can give composure but the club’s stated willingness to look externally for a centre-back suggests Maresca wants someone to complement Hato’s ball-carrying ability.
If the club signs a late arrival, the starting pairing could look more settled. Without one, expect a short-term rotation as the manager finds defensive connection.
Full-back / wing-back
This group is a mix of experience and rotation options. Reece James and Cucurella are the names that come first. If Maresca leans 3-4-3, the wing-backs have to cover a lot of ground, if he prefers 4-3-3, they need to be balanced in attack and defence.
The new signings don’t completely overhaul options here, so selection will come down to fitness and match plan.
Midfield
Chelsea’s midfield mix is interesting. Moisés Caicedo brings bite and progression. Enzo Fernández’s movement and creative balance give Maresca a lot of tactical stability.
New signings like Dário Essugo and Kendry Páez are more of an investment for now, they offer rotation, youthful legs and tactical malleability.
Expect a core of Caicedo and Fernández, with Essugo or Kovacic-type rotations depending on the opponent and cup competitions.
Attack
This is where Chelsea’s summer feels most coherent. João Pedro and Liam Delap give contrasting striker profiles. Pedro is clever and mobile, Delap is a more traditional number nine.
Jamie Gittens and Estêvão give speed and unpredictability on the wings. That’s exactly what you want if you want to mix direct runs with technical link-up play.
João Pedro already spoke about the move in measured terms, a player aware he is entering a demanding environment and keen to win.
That voice matters in the dressing room, someone who wants to adapt rather than demand time on the pitch.
Strengths these signings give Chelsea right now
1. Left-side balance and ball progression through Hato: a modern left-footed centre-back who can move the ball matters when you play out from the back.
Hato’s profile allows Maresca to ask his players to be higher and risk being progressive.
2. Varied attacking templates: João Pedro’s movement and Delap’s penalty-box presence create a two-bodied striker profile Maresca can swap between.
Gittens and Estêvão bring pace and unpredictability, meaning defenders must prepare for different types of threats.
3. Youthful depth: Chelsea’s approach is clearly long-term. They’ve signed players on long contracts (eight-year deals in some cases) which signals a development-first horizon.
That matters for domestic competition depth and for Europa/Champions League rotations.
4. Transfer-market stealth: Chelsea appear to have struck several deals early or pre-agreed, some moves were announced last summer but only completed now. That gives the club an advantage in pre-season planning and continuity.
Where Chelsea Could Still Struggle
1. Centre-back cover (the Colwill problem): Colwill’s ACL is a big loss. He was important to Chelsea’s progress last season, his absence forces Maresca into either a short-term stopgap or a hurried signing that still needs to adapt.
The manager explicitly said they’re looking at solutions. That’s a very material, tactical issue.
2. Immediate readiness of young signings: players like Estêvão, Kendry Páez and others are brilliant prospects but will need time to adjust to the Premier League’s physical demands.
If Maresca asks them to perform week one in pressure games, there will be inconsistency.
3. Midfield balance under heavy fixtures: Chelsea’s broader squad looks deep but the blend of senior experience and youth in central midfield needs careful rotation planning, especially once European group stage fixtures arrive.
4. Late-window uncertainty (Simons / Garnacho rumours): There’s noise that Chelsea is still active on big-name targets like Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, and that the club could move for them if things line up.
These are big acquisitions and would alter how Maresca builds his XI, but they’re not done deals and would require sales.
Transfer updates from Fabrizio Romano and reporting outlets show Chelsea’s interest and ongoing talks on some of these targets. If the club lands one or both, it changes the attack pattern again.
How Maresca might rotate the attack through the season
Here’s a practical, match-week look at attack selection:
• Against lower-block teams: start Delap as the spearhead to occupy centre halves and use Gittens/Estêvão to get in behind from the wings.
João Pedro can be the link between midfield and attack, dropping into the channels. Delap’s aerial and box presence gives a clear route to goal.
• Against high-pressing teams: start João Pedro centrally with his ability to circulate the ball and drag defenders out of position, use Gittens to exploit half-spaces.
Pedro’s mobility helps short passing sequences and quick counters.
• When fitness is a concern: rotate in the younger attackers (Paéz, Estêvão) to maintain intensity without burning out the main starters.
Maresca now has different striker types in the squad and can choose the one who best punishes the opponent. That’s a luxury, but only if the manager gets his defensive platform right.
The Colwill injury: short-term fixes and long-term planning
The timing of Colwill’s knee injury is brutal. An ACL means months out, and Chelsea have to decide whether to dip into the market or trust internal options.
Reuters quoted Maresca admitting the club “need a central defender” while also saying they were “looking for an internal solution.”
That line tells you how the club is split between pragmatism and belief in academy/in-house development. Either approach has risk, buying late risks a hurried fit; trusting youth risks stability.
If Chelsea sign an experienced, ball-playing centre-back before September 1, expect Maresca to stabilise the back and use Hato as the left-sided ball carrier. If not, expect rotation and perhaps more conservative tactics early in the season until chemistry builds.
What the Stats Tell Us And What They Miss
Transfer windows are noisy. The credible sources, club statements and major outlets confirm several signings and the big picture.
Chelsea have strengthened multiple areas but still have a glaring central defence question.
Fabrizio Romano the transfer insider has been consistently reporting on João Pedro’s medicals and ongoing interest in Xavi Simons and Garnacho, which is how we know Chelsea’s business could continue right up to the deadline.
That context matters if you’re trying to forecast a starting XI on Sep 2 vs. Sep 30.
But remember numbers alone don’t win matches. A fresh left-footed centre-back helps build, but cohesion and training matter most.
New signings need minutes and the right tactical education. Maresca’s role is to accelerate that without losing the team’s identity.
A few quick tactical scenarios to keep in mind
• Counter-press heavy opponent: Start João Pedro centrally (to give a quick outlet) with Delap on the bench for late aerial danger. Keep Caicedo to protect counters.
• Physical, long-ball opponent: You want a compact back three, so Hato plays centrally and a more aggressive midfield presses to avoid secondary counters.
• Opponents that sit deep: Use João Pedro’s movement and Gittens’ ability to drift inside to create overloads and pull centre-backs out of shape.
These are easy to say and hard to execute. Maturity and intelligence from young signings, especially in midfield will determine success.
What Chelsea Fans Can Actually Expect
If you’re a Chelsea fan right now, don’t expect perfection on day one. Expect flashes of brilliance and the team to look more flexible and dangerous in attack than last season.
Expect defensive hiccups early in the campaign while Maresca shapes the centre-back pairing without Colwill. Be optimistic about the clear upgrade on the left side of defence and the youth-laden attack and realistic about immediate cohesion.
The club still has bandwidth to do business or to stand pat and Maresca’s words were explicit about the Colwill hole, they know where they are weak.
If Chelsea bring in one experienced centre-back before the window shuts and keep the core midfield intact, they’ll be competitive in multiple competitions.
If they don’t, they’ll still be dangerous in attack, but may suffer from defensive inconsistency in tight league fixtures.
Key Things to Watch in the Coming Weeks
• Will Chelsea sign an experienced centre-back before September 1? Maresca suggested they are looking.
• Will Xavi Simons or Alejandro Garnacho arrive? Fabrizio Romano reports Chelsea are active on those targets; if either signs, the attack will be reshaped.
• How quickly do João Pedro and Gittens adapt in competitive matches? Their early minutes will determine whether Maresca starts them or eases them in.
Football is simple on paper and chaotic in practice. Chelsea’s summer rebuilt identity rather than tossed money at one single super-solution.
That’s good in the long run, it’s sustainable and coherent but short-term friction is almost guaranteed.
The key question for the season is whether Maresca can turn young, talented and interchangeable signings into a reliable starting eleven that knows exactly what to do under stress.
In my own view, there’s reason to be excited but also reason to keep watching the left centre-back market closely.