Chelsea's dream £549.9m starting XI next season if transfer rumours prove true

Chelsea have a big few weeks ahead of them, now in a position to not only challenge for a top five finish and Champions League football next season, but for a Conference League final having reached the final of the competition.

The Blues are in for an exciting end to the season, but behind the scenes they will already be planning for next term, hoping to become title challengers next season. Here we take a look at the possible Chelsea starting XI for next season based on transfer rumours, also rounding up the player values, according to Transfermarkt, to make a whopping squad value of £549.9million.

GK - Gregor Kobel - £33.8m

Kobel has been linked with the Blues regularly over recent months. BILD have recently reported that Chelsea are ready to step up negotiations in the coming weeks, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise given Maresca’s evident dissatisfaction with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen as first-choice goalkeepers.

LB - Marc Cucurella - £25.4m

Cucurella has become a key player again for Chelsea over the last year having been on a consistent run of form since before his stellar Euro 2024 tournament. The Spaniard should continue in his role at left-back going forward.

CB - Levi Colwill - £46.5m

Colwill is getting better and better. He will surely be a first-choice centre-back for the Blues next season.

CB - Marc Guehi - £38.1m

Trevoh Chalobah has been very good since coming back into the fold, but Chelsea are likely to strengthen this position, especially with Wesley Fofana likely to leave. A number of players have been linked, including Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and many others. But Maresca may prioritise a more tried and tested Guehi, who is not only a dominant defender, but he has already spent plenty of time at the club.

RB - Reece James - £25.4m

James is rebuilding his stock after such a difficult time with injury, but Maresca is keen to use him, and he has spoken highly of the England international in the last couple of months. Chelsea should have competition here, with Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto also options, but James is most likely to be the starter.

CM - Enzo Fernandez - £63.5m

Fernandez has had a strong season, and he has grown into his role at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine looks to be a central building block in Maresca’s project.

CM - Moises Caicedo - £67.7m

Another of the key building blocks, Caicedo is one of Chelsea’s top performers, and he will keep his place. Chelsea have depth here, with Romeo Lavia also likely to see plenty of playing time. Though, the Blues could arguably do with another midfielder as they balance European and domestic efforts.

RW - Pedro Neto - £46.5m

Chelsea have a few areas they need to strengthen this summer, and while they could arguably do with another high-level winger, they are unlikely to be able to do so, with Jadon Sancho set to arrive permanently and other areas being in greater need. With that in mind, Neto should keep his place. The Portuguese winger has had a decent season, but Maresca will want more than 14 contributions across goals and assists next season.

LW - Noni Madueke - £33.8m

Madueke clearly has a big future, still only 23 years of age, and he will surely be a starter next season, even if he does need to find a little more consistency. Chelsea’s other options here include Sancho, Tyrique George and, potentially, Mykhaylo Mudryk, depending on how the Ukrainian’s suspension situation plays out.

CAM - Cole Palmer - £110m

One of the first names on the team sheet, Palmer will be a starter for Chelsea next season. The Blues could do with an alternative here, but Palmer is their man in the attacking midfield role.

CF - Victor Osimhen - £59.2m

Chelsea need a new striker, even if Nicolas Jackson still has a big role to play going forward. Even with the early spring drought, Jackson has 24 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. That is a fine return. Even so, the Blues want a top-level goalscorer to compete for titles and offer genuine competition for a still learning Jackson. Osimhen fits that bill, and you get the feeling Chelsea want someone proven and with limited risk when it comes to hitting the ground running. Osimhen could be the man, and if he is, Chelsea would have a scary striker’s room, also having Marco Guiu at their disposal.

Your next Chelsea read, Chelsea fans can save £115 on Conference League final in Wroclaw