As the final whistle blew on a dismal 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Enzo Fernandez stood out among the Chelsea players. While most trudged off with heads bowed, the Argentine midfielder turned toward the away end and waved. In the context of a season that promised so much but delivered so little, the gesture carried the weight of a farewell.
It was the perfect, painful encapsulation of a campaign that ended with Chelsea missing out on European competition entirely — a brutal reality check for a club that lifted the Club World Cup just last summer.
The 2025/26 Premier League season began under unusual circumstances. Following the expanded Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca’s side had only a 22-day break before returning to action. When asked if his team was ready ahead of the opening match against Crystal Palace, Maresca could only offer cautious optimism: “We guess we are ready, but we need to wait for the real competition to verify that.”
For a while, it looked like they might be. Buoyed by their Club World Cup triumph, Chelsea surged into second place by late November. Maresca found himself batting away early title talk as excitement built around Stamford Bridge. Yet, as the text predicted, the post-tournament high proved fleeting.
The hangover arrived brutally in December. A defeat at Leeds on December 3 triggered a miserable month both on and off the pitch, culminating in Maresca’s infamous “worst 48 hours” rant. By early 2026, the Italian’s relationship with the board had deteriorated beyond repair, leading to a mutual parting of ways.
What followed was instability. Liam Rosenior, viewed by some as a “company hire” due to his connections with BlueCo, was appointed on a six-and-a-half-year deal after a brief interim period under Calum McFarlane. However, a poor run of results saw him dismissed after less than four months. McFarlane returned to steady the ship until season’s end, occasionally coaxing decent performances from the squad, but many players already appeared mentally checked out.
The season’s final act at Sunderland summed up the campaign’s deeper issues. Joao Pedro, who had scored an impressive 20 goals in his debut season, took it upon himself to apologise to the travelling supporters — a classy but sobering moment. Chelsea’s 11th red card of the season (including Maresca’s earlier dismissal) further highlighted a squad that, despite moments of quality, lacked the mental fortitude demanded by the club’s ambitions.
The cold truth for Xabi Alonso
As the dust settles, the scale of the challenge facing incoming manager Xabi Alonso is now fully exposed. The 44-year-old Spaniard, who will officially begin his role on July 1 after signing a four-year contract, inherits a squad in need of major surgery.
Multiple key players face uncertain futures. Alongside Fernandez’s likely departure, Marc Cucurella’s position is also under scrutiny following his recent interview. Sources indicate that several more players will need to be moved on this summer. While Chelsea will not abandon their youth-focused approach entirely, the ownership group is shifting toward targeting ready-made players who can contribute immediately.
BlueCo recognises the squad’s shortcomings in resilience and mentality. Alonso has been tasked with more than just tactical improvement — he must lead a full culture reset at Cobham, building not only a competitive team on the pitch but a united group off it. The club’s sporting directors see this as essential for sustainable success in the modern game.
It will not be easy. After progressing in 2024/25, the 2025/26 season represented two steps backward: two managerial changes, fan protests, bombshell player interviews, and a campaign that fizzled into mediocrity. Yet amid the gloom, there are reasons for measured optimism.
Alonso was chosen precisely because the club believes he possesses the leadership qualities to rebuild from the ground up. If backed properly in the transfer market and given time to implement his vision, the appointment could mark the beginning of a genuine revival.
For now, though, the wave from Enzo Fernandez on Sunday evening felt like the final chapter of a disappointing season — and a stark reminder of the cold reality awaiting Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge. The hard work starts immediately.