Following the last campaign, where Chelsea secured the fourth spot, the team secured their participation in the Champions League; this is the initial time in the Todd Boehly tenure.
This year, the Blues will join five other English teams in the competition, marking a unique occurrence in the tournament’s seven-decade history.
The squad under Enzo Maresca further improved their performance by achieving victory at the Club World Cup during the summer. However, the question remains: how close are they to regaining titles in the Premier League or Champions League?
Gallas on Chelsea’s trophy hopes this season
William Gallas, previously a defender for the Blues – recognized at position 29 in FourFourTwo’s list of the top Premier League athletes from the 2000s – suggests that there’s still progress needed at Stamford Bridge.
“Achieving the level required to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles will necessitate more than a year,” Gallas shared with FourFourTwo. “The team comprises youthful players who exhibit strong cohesion, evident in their gameplay.
“They’ll likely be positioned near the summit of the Premier League standings and advance to the latter phases of the Champions League. Their goal will involve contending closely in both tournaments – potentially securing a spot in the top three or four in the league and reaching the quarter-finals or semi-finals in Europe.
“I am eager to observe them challenging teams that have consistently been competitive over recent seasons.
“To emerge as genuine contenders, I believe Chelsea will require an additional couple of years. This season should focus on achieving substantial progress, paving the way for a potential Premier League or Champions League victory in the subsequent season.”
During the recent transfer period, the Blues were actively involved, securing Brazilian talent Estevao this summer, following last year’s acquisition. Furthermore, players such as Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have joined the team, including striker Liam Delap.
“He’s a player aged 22 who showed promise at Ipswich, yet he remains inexperienced and has only managed twelve goals,” Gallas remarked regarding the former youth player from Manchester City.
“He possesses considerable potential; however, the environment at Chelsea brings a distinct level of expectation. He is capable of contributing to a significant chapter at Chelsea in the coming years.”
