Chelsea have endured a turbulent 2024, but there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Mauricio Pochettino's only season at Stamford Bridge ended in May, leaving Chelsea with a managerial vacancy once again.
The Blues opted for a big name and instead appointed Enzo Maresca, who has overseen Leicester City's return to the Premier League. The Italian had a slow start in west London, but has since found his feet and the future looks bright for the two-time European champion.
While backers will be excited to discover what 2025 will bring, let's take a closer look at it Chelsea2024.
Not even the most ardent football fans can deny that Cole Palmer He was Chelsea's shining light in 2024. The Blues were often a one-man team during the first half of the calendar year, relying on Palmer's versatility and brilliance in every game.
The England international has caused quite a stir since his move from Manchester to the capital at the start of 2023/24, and he finished last season as the player. Best Young Player in the Premier League this season. He has an invaluable ability to make difficult things seem obvious, regularly dragging Chelsea to victory with his goals and assists.
Although he was subjected to harsh criticism during his first season at Chelsea, Nicholas Jackson He still scored 17 goals last season. This outcome was marred by continuous and significant losses, but the indicators were very positive for a young player adapting to life in the strongest league in the world.
Jackson finished last season with four goals in his last five Premier League matches, continuing his goalscoring form at the start of the Maresca era. He produced nine goals in 2024 under the Italian coach and transformed from an unreliable striker into a goalscorer.
Chelsea have become famous for recruiting young stars almost exclusively and they now have a squad filled with some of the most impressive talent in Europe. However, their leading young man in 2024 was one of them, with Levi Colwell Dazzling for the blues.
After an impressive loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, Colwell quickly found a starting place in Chelsea's side under Pochettino, a position he has held comfortably since Maresca's appointment.
The England international has the confidence, physicality and tactical intelligence of a superstar, and has been a consistent and impressive presence at the heart of a much-changed defence.
It is no surprise that Chelsea's best player is also the top scorer. A brutal calendar year has seen Palmer score 29 goals in just 47 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, equaling Liverpool star Mohamed Salah's tally and just nine behind former Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland.
Palmer's 12 goals in 2024/25 so far mean he can still surpass his impressive tally of 25 goals in 2023/24 as he continues to develop into a truly lethal attacking midfielder.
None of Chelsea's many 2024 signings have hit their stride yet. Most have struggled to break into the star-studded first team that is now established, but there have been positive early signs from the summer's most expensive recruits, Pedro Neto.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has long been admired by Europe's elite, with injuries preventing him from reaching elite level. Chelsea spent £54m During the summer.
Three goals and four assists is not a devastating tally for someone of Neto's quality, but the 24-year-old has the potential and raw talent to burst into life in the coming months and years.
Chelsea went away without a trophy in 2024 and endured some difficult circumstances, but there were also some memorable matches. The Blues have often saved their best for their traditional rivals and pulled off one of the most surprising comebacks in the Premier League in April.
Trailing 3-2 at home to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, Palmer scored twice in the 100th and 101st minutes. An amazing 4-3 win. It was the highlight of a year filled with failure and a match that will be remembered for a long time.
