9/10 world-class, four 8/10s but two 4/10s struggle - Chelsea player ratings this season

The full Chelsea player ratings from the 2025/26 season so far with the Blues continuing to fight on all fronts after a more than respectable beginning to the campaign

Trying to find a word to describe Chelsea's start to the 2025/26 season is difficult. It has been far from perfect - five red cards have not helped with that. It has, however, been more than respectable given the circumstances at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues' triumphant Club World Cup campaign in the United States meant Enzo Maresca's side did not finish last season until July 13. The players then had a small period off to relax and unwind ahead of the 25/26 campaign starting and returned for pre-season training on August 4 - just 13 days prior to their opening match.

At the time of writing, things are looking fairly rosy for Chelsea. The Blues are third in the Premier League table after the opening 11 games of the campaign, with only Arsenal and Manchester City boasting more points than Maresca's men thus far.

Elsewhere, the west Londoners are on seven points after four Champions League league phase games. Chelsea are also in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, where they go into the last eight tie away at Cardiff City as huge favourites.

Seventeen games played, 10 wins, four defeats and three draws. Thirty-six goals scored, while 20 have been conceded. Not perfect numbers, but certainly not bad.

With all of this being said, Bobby Vincent takes a look at all of the Chelsea players and rates them out of 10 based on how they have done so far this term. Note: only those with five or more appearances - in all competitions - have been graded, so Cole Palmer did not quite make the cut.

Robert Sanchez - 7

Much, much better from Sanchez so far this season. Still has so many doubters and people who do not believe he is the right man in goal for Chelsea in the long-term, but he has hardly put a foot - or a hand - wrong this season. His dominance inside his box when claiming crosses - in a league that has used set-pieces, long throw-ins and high balls into the area much more this season - has been tremendous.

Trevoh Chalobah - 6

The 26-year-old has had a mixed start to the season. Chalobah had a bit of a horror show at Old Trafford and was then shown a straight red card seven days later at home to Brighton. There have been moments, particularly the win at Tottenham, where Chalobah's significance to the side has been undoubted.

Tosin Adarabioyo - 4

Tosin has not started the season well. The 28-year-old defender has only made three starts in the Premier League, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench when Chelsea are trying to see out a game. There have been a couple of goals where Tosin, the most senior member within the Blues squad, has been at fault. Needs to be much, much better if he is to force his way into this Chelsea setup again.

Wesley Fofana - 6

It was a rather slow start for the 24-year-old after a lengthy spell out through injury. That is to be expected in many ways, but thankfully he has started to look more like his old self again in recent appearances against Tottenham and Wolves. Still much more to come for Fofana, with Chelsea continuing to manage his work load, but positive signs indeed.

Josh Acheampong - 8

Just eight appearances for Acheampong in all competitions this season but in virtually all of them, the teenager has been really impressive. Usually when assessing a youngster and how they fare in huge games, you look to see whether they looked out of place. Usually the biggest compliment you can give a teenager is that they don't look out of place. Well, it's beyond that for Acheampong, who quite often looks the best defender on the pitch.

Marc Cucurella - 7

Mr Consistent. Cucurella has not yet been able to rediscover his goal scoring form from last season but that will not worry Maresca too much as goals have been coming from elsewhere. Ultimately, that isn't his job, but he has been completing various other jobs for Chelsea this season. He is always a 7/10, so it's fitting he is graded that here.

Jorrel Hato - 4

It has been a struggle for the 19-year-old since joining Chelsea in the summer. Particularly against Qarabag last week, Hato looked really short of confidence and that reflected in what was an awful performance. The draw at Brentford earlier in the season was also a tough evening for the Dutchman. There is no doubting he will improve as the campaign goes along and he becomes more settled but it has not been great thus far.

Reece James - 8

James has been excellent this season. The Chelsea captain has become much more of a leader on the pitch - and off it, according to Maresca - and that is evident whenever watching him in action these days. Whether it has been in the centre of midfield or at right-back, the 25-year-old has been superb so far.

Malo Gusto - 6

A quietly impressive start to the season for Gusto. The Frenchman continues to divide opinion among the Chelsea fan base, but - like James - whether he has been asked to do a job in midfield or at right-back, it has been a good start.

Moises Caicedo - 9

Back-to-back Player of the Month awards for the 24-year-old, given to him by the club. That goes some way in telling you just how sensational he has been. No player has more interceptions (26) than Caicedo, but we all knew he could do that. He has been doing that for some time for the Blues. What is equally impressive is the fact he has added impact in the final third to his game this term and is Chelsea's joint-top scorer with four goals.

Romeo Lavia - 6

Purely based on his performances this season, a 6/10 seems fair. However, it is really disappointing to see him once again pick up an injury. By no fault of his own, of course, but Lavia's progress at Stamford Bridge has once again been halted due to fitness problems.

Enzo Fernandez - 8

The 24-year-old has bagged four goals this term, with no Chelsea player scoring more, as he continues to find space via those Frank Lampard-esque runs into the box. It's not always been perfect from Fernandez, but for the most part it has been excellent this season.

Andrey Santos - 6

It hasn't been the absolute dream start for Santos at Chelsea. The Brazilian has been used in a number of different positions by Maresca thus far, but the one he has looked most impressive and natural in is the No.8 alongside Lavia away at Wolves last month. It will be interesting to see if Maresca tries him there again in the games after the break.

Facundo Buonanotte - 5

It is clear to see why Chelsea decided to pursue a loan deal for Buonanotte on deadline day. They needed cover for Palmer, who has been struggling with a persistent groin injury this season, in the No.10 role. The 20-year-old has made three appearances in the Champions League, two in the Carabao Cup but just one in the Premier League. Buonanotte, though, is yet to really show supporters what he is all about.

Jamie Gittens - 6

The 21-year-old had a really slow start at Stamford Bridge but in recent appearances, he has come into his own. Much more promise from Gittens, though there are still some question marks over his end product. That should come eventually, but the potential is there. Gittens looks very raw but there is something exciting about the way he plays.

Alejandro Garnacho - 7

Likewise, it was a slow start for Garnacho for a number of reasons. The main one being his fitness after essentially skipping pre-season when he was at Manchester United. In recent matches, however, the Argentine has been brilliant for the Blues and at £40million, is looking like a potential bargain should he continue such form.

Tyrique George - 7

George was denied a late move away from Chelsea in the summer with his switch to Fulham falling through on deadline day. The 19-year-old, though, has acted with the utmost professionalism ever since. The Cobham graduate has mostly been used as a false nine this season by Maresca and has scored three goals and provided one assist in his nine appearances.

Estevao Willian - 8

What a player Chelsea have on their hands here. There was so much excitement when the Blues announced he would be arriving to the club in the summer that it almost felt like he could be a victim of his own reputation and the anticipation of his arrival. That has not been the case at all, however. Chelsea have a future world-beater in their ranks.

Pedro Neto - 7

After a breath-taking Club World Cup showing from Neto, many were expecting him to continue such form this season. He has shown glimpses of that, no doubt, but sometimes you are left wanting more from the Portugal international. That being said, though, he remains one of the first names on the team sheet at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro - 7

Two goals in his opening three matches left Chelsea supporters in awe of the summer signing, especially after introducing himself in such style during the Club World Cup. However, the Brazil international tailed off a bit after that - and that could well be down to the fact he has been struggling with a groin injury for several weeks now. Joao Pedro has managed to look a lot better in the last two league games - scoring in wins against Tottenham and Wolves.

Liam Delap - 5

It's been stop-start for Delap since signing from Ipswich Town. A hamstring injury saw him sidelined for two months and when he did return, he was sent off, stupidly, for two quick-fire yellow cards in the Carabao Cup win over Wolves. Still waiting for his first goal this season.

Marc Guiu - 6

What a bizarre season it has been for Guiu. The 19-year-old striker was recalled less than a month into his loan spell with Sunderland due to Delap's aforementioned injury. There is no doubting he has made an impact whenever he has been trusted on the pitch, though he will want to play a lot more after the international break.