After a promising end to the 2024/25 season that delivered Conference League glory and a stunning Club World Cup triumph (beating PSG 3-0 in the final in New Jersey), Chelsea entered the 2025/26 campaign with genuine optimism. Enzo Maresca was handed a squad strengthened by several new signings to compete across all fronts. However, the season has unfolded far differently than hoped, not least due to a mid-season managerial change that disrupted momentum.
The recent defeat to Everton has now made it mathematically impossible for Chelsea to win the Premier League title — though they were never serious contenders in the closing stages anyway. PSG also ended their Champions League hopes with a dominant 8-2 aggregate victory over two legs. The FA Cup remains a lifeline, with League One side Port Vale standing between the Blues and a Wembley semi-final. Beyond that, the priority has shifted to securing Champions League qualification for next season, but inconsistent recent form has made even that target increasingly challenging.
As the campaign nears its conclusion, the spotlight has fallen sharply on individual performances at Stamford Bridge. Some players have stepped up impressively, while others have fallen well short of expectations. Here is the full verdict from our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes, highlighting three winners and three losers each — resulting in eight stars publicly exposed by their displays this term. Meanwhile, quiet progress behind the scenes suggests that contract agreements or extensions for key performers Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro are silently receiving the green light.
Bobby Vincent’s Winners and Losers
Joao Pedro – Winner The Brazil international has been an absolute revelation since his £60million arrival from Brighton last summer. Joao Pedro impressed immediately with a strong cameo at the Club World Cup and carried that momentum into the 2025/26 season.
The 24-year-old has racked up 43 appearances for Chelsea this term — trailing only Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez in minutes played. With 18 goals and 9 assists across all competitions, he has silenced early doubts about the price tag. What initially raised eyebrows now looks like outstanding value with every goal and creative contribution he delivers.
Enzo Fernandez – Winner Despite recent off-field chatter and comments that hinted at a possible summer departure, Enzo Fernandez has been outstanding on the pitch. The 25-year-old Argentine midfielder has clocked a club-high 46 appearances this season, underlining his reliability and importance.
Fernandez has contributed 12 goals and 6 assists, building impressively on his strong 2024/25 campaign. Chelsea fans will hope the club and the player can resolve any uncertainties and continue together — he has all the qualities to become a true Stamford Bridge legend.
Reece James – Winner Reece James has made 36 appearances this season, a clear step forward after years plagued by injury issues. Although the Chelsea captain recently suffered another hamstring setback (with his return date still uncertain), this campaign must be viewed as real progress.
Not only has he stayed more available, but his performance levels — whether deployed at right-back or in midfield — have been consistently high. James has shown the leadership and quality expected of the club captain.
Cole Palmer – Loser It almost feels harsh to include Cole Palmer here, but the numbers don’t lie: he has not reached the elite standards we know he is capable of. A complicated groin injury has hampered him throughout the season, significantly impacting his output.
Palmer sits on 10 goals in all competitions — well below his usual sky-high bar. The hope is that he can regain full fitness and rediscover his best form during the final run-in once club football resumes.
Liam Delap – Loser Few would argue that Liam Delap has lived up to the hype since his £30m move from Ipswich Town. The 23-year-old striker has often looked out of sync with the team, with the system seemingly failing to play to his physical strengths.
Delap has managed just two goals in 32 appearances across all competitions. If he stays at Chelsea next season, the new head coach will need to find a tactical setup that better utilises his attributes.
Romeo Lavia – Loser The main goal for Romeo Lavia this season — much like Reece James — was simply greater availability. Once again, however, persistent injury problems have derailed those plans.
The Belgian midfielder has made only 14 first-team appearances in all competitions. He is now back fit, and everyone at the club will be hoping he can remain injury-free for the remainder of the campaign.
Jake Stokes’ Winners and Losers
Reece James – Winner Reece James has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season. The 26-year-old has delivered consistently high-level displays week after week — a rarity not just in the Blues squad but across the Premier League.
Few players can seize control of a match quite like James. The academy graduate has dragged Chelsea to results on multiple occasions, and his influence both on and off the pitch has been immense.
Joao Pedro – Winner Joao Pedro has been a breath of fresh air at Stamford Bridge. The 24-year-old forward has delivered everything Chelsea could have hoped for: goals, assists, relentless pressing, and leadership by example as he battles defenders and stretches opposition backlines.
Enzo Fernandez – Winner Enzo Fernandez fully deserves the praise coming his way. While Moises Caicedo could also merit a mention, Fernandez’s contributions in the final third have been particularly eye-catching. With 12 goals and 8 assists across all competitions, his consistent output has rescued Chelsea in several tight matches. He leads by example and demands high standards from those around him.
Honourable mention goes to Estevao Willian, who has looked sharp whenever given opportunities, though injury, managerial choices, and other factors have limited his game time.
Tosin Adarabioyo – Loser The downturn in Chelsea’s season can partly be traced to Tosin Adarabioyo’s costly errors during the December defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road. While he isn’t solely responsible for the subsequent slump, his overall contributions have been minimal.
The centre-back appears mis-profiled for the demands of a club like Chelsea, and he has been left exposed in a young squad where he is viewed as the “experienced” head. Experience at lower levels does not automatically translate to quality at the highest stage — Chelsea need players proven in the biggest competitions.
Pedro Neto – Loser Pedro Neto enjoyed a strong end to the previous season and played a key role in silverware for club and country. Expectations were high for the 26-year-old winger to kick on, but he has been largely disappointing this term.
Liam Delap – Loser High hopes surrounded Liam Delap’s arrival from Ipswich, and he showed flashes of promise at the Club World Cup and in pre-season. However, a hamstring injury disrupted his festive period, and in recent months his performances have simply not been good enough. A couple of impactful goals from the bench in the run-in would be welcome.
As the dust settles on a turbulent 2025/26 season, the public verdict is clear on these eight players. Yet behind the scenes, the strong showings from Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro appear to have quietly strengthened their positions at the club — with agreements or contract situations reportedly getting the green light. Chelsea’s rebuild continues, and these contrasting individual stories will shape how the squad looks heading into next season.