If you’ve spent any time watching Chelsea lately, you know it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. One week we’re looking like world-beaters under the new Liam Rosenior era—fresh off that 5-1 thumping of Charlton—and the next, we’re scratching our heads after a frustrating 2-1 loss to Fulham where Marc Cucurella basically lost his mind. But honestly, if you look at the raw Chelsea FC players ratings from this 2025/26 season, a very specific story starts to emerge. It’s not just about the chaos of changing managers (RIP Enzo Maresca’s tenure); it’s about a few specific guys who are actually carrying this squad.
The Midfield Engine: Caicedo and Enzo are Actually Doing It
For a long time, everyone joked about the billion-pound midfield. People were saying they weren't worth the price tag. Well, looking at the numbers from January 2026, those critics are starting to look a little silly.
Moisés Caicedo has basically become the heartbeat of this team. In the recent FA Cup win over Charlton, he was arguably the best player on the pitch. He didn't just sit back and tackle; he was initiating attacks and even wore the captain's armband. His stats for the season are pretty wild: 45 tackles and 37 interceptions. He’s everywhere. He’s currently sitting on a season average rating of about 8.5 in high-stakes games, which is honestly elite.
Then there’s Enzo Fernández. He’s actually the top scorer for Chelsea right now with 8 goals in all competitions. Think about that for a second. A deep-lying playmaker is outscoring the strikers. He’s become clinical from the penalty spot and his vision is still probably the best in the Premier League. When he’s on it, Chelsea looks like a top-four team. When he’s off, or when he was getting subbed early under Maresca, the whole system sorta fell apart.
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Cole Palmer: The "Disappearing" Act?
We have to talk about Cole Palmer because the vibe has shifted a bit. Last season he was the "Cold" King who could do no wrong. This season? It’s been a bit more complicated. His ratings have been hovering around the 6.0 to 6.7 mark in big games. He was pretty much invisible in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City recently.
Some fans are starting to whisper that he struggles when the pressure is maxed out. Is that fair? Maybe not. He still has 3 goals and is creating a ton of chances (12 big chances created so far). But compared to the superhuman levels he hit before, he looks human again. He’s still the first name on the team sheet, but he’s not carrying the team single-handedly anymore.
The Defensive Mess and the One Bright Spot
Defense has been Chelsea's Achilles' heel for years, and 2026 isn't much different. We’ve conceded 24 goals already this league season. Robert Sánchez has been a lightning rod for criticism. While he’s made some big saves—54 in total—his "prevented goals" metric is actually in the negatives. Basically, he’s conceding things he should be stopping.
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However, Levi Colwill is the real deal. He’s currently ranked as one of the best young center-backs in Europe. His partnership with Wesley Fofana is getting better, but they’re still prone to those "Chelsea moments" where the concentration just vanishes.
Quick Look: Recent Standout Ratings
- Liam Delap: 7.9 (vs Fulham) - He’s been a bright spot since coming in, showing real poacher instincts.
- Josh Acheampong: 8.0 (vs Charlton) - The kid is a star in the making. Comfortable on the ball and fearless.
- Jorrel Hato: 8.2 (vs Charlton) - Scored a screamer and looked like he's been playing in Blue for ten years.
- Marc Cucurella: 5.4 (vs Fulham) - That red card was a nightmare. He’s been a liability lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Ratings
The biggest mistake people make is looking at a 6.5 rating and thinking a player had a bad game. In this current Chelsea system—especially under Rosenior’s new 4-2-3-1—players like Pedro Neto are often asked to stay incredibly wide. They might not touch the ball for 10 minutes, so their rating drops. But their movement is what allows Enzo and Caicedo the space to dominate.
Also, can we talk about João Pedro? He’s joint-top scorer with Enzo in the league. He’s outperforming his xG (Expected Goals) massively. People thought he was just another squad filler, but he’s actually been more reliable than some of the bigger names.
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The Next Steps for Your FPL or Betting Strategy
If you’re tracking these players for fantasy or just to keep up with the water cooler talk, keep an eye on the "interception" stats for the midfield. That’s where the value is.
- Watch the Youth: Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George are going to see more minutes under Rosenior. Their ratings are usually high because they play with zero fear.
- The Goalkeeper Situation: Don’t be surprised if Filip Jörgensen starts eating into Robert Sánchez's minutes soon. His 7.2 rating in the cup showed a level of composure Sanchez lacks.
- Sell Palmer? Not yet. But don't expect him to be the 10/10 every week. The team is becoming more balanced, which means his individual "hero" numbers might actually go down as the team's overall performance goes up.
The reality of Chelsea right now is that the individual talent is finally starting to match the collective output. We’re 8th in the league, which isn't where we want to be, but the upward trend in player ratings over the last three weeks suggests a climb is coming.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor the Tactical Shift: Watch if Rosenior keeps the inverted fullback role for Jorrel Hato; his rating spikes when he moves into central midfield.
- Stat to Watch: Keep an eye on "Progressive Carries" for Pedro Neto. He leads the team with 73, and when that number is high, Chelsea usually wins.
- Avoid Emotional Ratings: Don't let a single red card (looking at you, Cucurella) blind you to the fact that the defensive structure is statistically improving.