Nevertheless, Chelsea had a successful finish to the 2024–25 season, finishing in the Champions League spots, winning the UEFA Conference League, and then defeating Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions, with a spectacular comeback to win the FIFA Club World Cup.

Maresca has done that admirably, even while club executives keep spending heavily on transfers to bolster the Premier League’s youngest team with more young players. Mamadou Sarr, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Jamie Gittens, and £60 million forward Joao Pedro have already joined, while many players, notably Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, are scheduled to leave.

Following the victory over PSG in New York, Cole Palmer publicly supported Maresca, who has been working to improve his team’s tactical and mental skills so they can compete against teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal for titles once more, not just in cup competitions. And according to former England captain Shearer, the Blues manager might have done just that.

Given what Chelsea has accomplished this season, their recent success [winning the Club World Cup], their current roster, and their future acquisitions, I believe it would take an extremely courageous individual to predict that they would not be in the running for the championship next year. The Rest Is Football’s most recent edition featured Shearer’s statement.

“I think you have to say that they will be involved in the title race.”

“PSG went in, their football has worked all season, and why not? It was a masterclass from Maresca,” Shearer continued when discussing Maresca and the Club World Cup final. For what reason should they make any changes?

Nevertheless, I believe that Maresca’s minor adjustments—pressing high and all that—were ideal for them, and he merits a great deal of praise for his performance during the season as well as in this competition.

“I don’t think anyone was prepared because, as you are aware, Chelsea has a history of losing games, so you know precisely what will happen if you don’t win.

You’re there for a reason, and you’re aware of how it will operate. He has done an absolutely amazing job.

 

Chelsea seems to be considering selling Nicolas Jackson. (Image: Chelsea FC/Darren Walsh via Getty Images)

Another player who might go in the upcoming weeks is Nicolas Jackson. After being sent off twice in recent months, the Senegal striker, who was Maresca’s star player the previous season, has witnessed the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who had a great debut as a Blue in the USA.

The former Villarreal forward is now being linked to a move, with Chelsea reportedly willing to pay about £50 million and Manchester United keeping an eye on his circumstances as they continue to search for a new number nine.

Shearer acknowledges: “If there’s going to be one person moved out, I’d assume it would be Jackson after [Joao] Pedro entered and scored the two goals and Delap was already there.

“If other football teams have already made offers to him and have inquired about it, I wouldn’t be shocked.