4 players set to make debuts in Chelsea's 2025/26 season
Chelsea have been having a busy summer transfer window with several new stars' arrivals at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The Blues recently lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after claiming the UEFA Conference League title and ranking fourth in the Premier League last season.
Chelsea are following their pattern of building an efficient squad of young talents and have added eight players to Enzo Maresca's clan so far this summer.
Chelsea have signed Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders, and Kendry Paez.
While Pedro, Delap, Essugo, and Sarr have already made their debuts for Chelsea in the Club World Cup, some new faces are expected to be seen in the Blues' dugout in the upcoming season, which commences with their opening Premier League match against Crystal Palace on August 17, at Stamford Bridge.
Jamie Gittens
Gittens signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea through to 2032. The winger arrived at Stamford Bridge from his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund last month for a reported fee of £48.5m with a potential £3.5m in add-ons.
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The 20-year-old described his move to the Blues as 'an amazing feeling,' and said,
"It feels great. It’s a great feeling to join such a big club as Chelsea. I can’t wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It’s an amazing feeling," as per the club's official website.
While he was unable to be included in Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup, Gittens is expected to make his debut for the Blues in the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Estevao
Chelsea acquired Estevao's signature from Palmeiras on an eight-year contract for a reported fee of €34m, along with €23m in performance-based incentives.
The 18-year-old featured in Palmeiras' quarterfinal clash in the Club World Cup against Chelsea, where he also netted a goal. While speaking about his move to the Blues, Estevao told ESPN Brasil,
"It means everything. It's a dream come true for me. I've always dreamed of playing in Europe alongside the best. Playing in important competitions, such as the Champions League and the Premier League. It's a dream come true. It will be very important for my life."
"It's a dream of mine and my family's. It will be an incredible opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. And I hope to get there and adapt as quickly as possible. I want to play. It's the thing I love doing most, what I enjoy most."
Mike Penders
Back in August last year, Chelsea announced that Penders would officially join the club from his boyhood club Genk this summer.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper arrived at the Blues on a seven-year contract, for a reported fee of about £17m. Even though he was included in Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup, the Belgian star did not get a chance to make his debut.
While recent reports have suggested that he could be initially loaned out, there's a chance Penders may get to make his debut for Chelsea in the upcoming campaign.
Kendry Paez
Paez has finally arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer, after the announcement was made back in 2023 that Chelsea would sign the Ecuadorian star after his 18th birthday.
Chelsea's deal to sign Paez from Independiente del Valle was reported to be worth €20m (£17.27m), and his contract with the Blues is valid until the summer of 2033.
Several reports have surfaced that claim that he will also be sent out on loan initially, leaving behind a small possibility of Paez making his debut for Chelsea in the 2025/26 season.