Chelseamay be in FIFA Club World Cup action at the moment, but will also be looking ahead to their return to Premier League duties in a few weeks time.

The Blueswill be hoping to secure glory in the United States over the next couple of weeks, after which point the attention will return to preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Enzo Maresca has already welcomed one new signing to the club withLiam Delapcompleting a £30million switch from Ipswich Town earlier in the summer.

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Chelsea are also hoping to complete a £55million deal for Jamie Gittensin the near future after an agreement was reached with Borussia Dortmund. The Blues will not stop there, either, with a £55million plus £5million in add-ons deal also agreed with Brighton for the signing of Joao Pedro.

Those three signings will significantly strengthen the forward options available to Chelsea for next season. Not to mention, the Blues will also welcome Estevao William to their ranks after a deal with Palmeiras was agreed last year.

As a result, Chelsea will certainly welcome plenty of reinforcements to their squad for the start of the 2025/26 season. But which players will be in the first-choice line-up for the opening fixture against Crystal Palace on August 17?

Robert Sanchez is expected to continue starting in goal, after Chelsea made an attempt to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan earlier this summer. As a result, Maresca will be expected to stick with Sanchez while Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders wait in reserve.

In defence, Marc Cucurella and Reece James will be looking to be the first-choice full-back pairing for next season but will face competition from Malo Gusto. At centre-back, Chelsea will have Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile at their disposal and will also hope to welcome the return of Wesley Fofana from injury.

Into midfield, and Chelsea will be expected to start with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in front of the back four next season. Romeo Lavia will also hope to be a starter next term once again, too, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has impressed when called upon at the Club World Cup.

However, the forward line could present some challenges for Maresca. Cole Palmer is also certain to be one of the first names on the team sheet and will be expected to play in the No.10 role. But with the new signings and current options already at the club, it remains to be seen what the Blues will have planned for next season.

Gittens will hope to be a regular starter on the left wing, but will face competition from Estevao and Neto for the position. On the right wing, it could be that Noni Madueke is the first-choice option, with Neto also capable of performing on the right.

In terms of a central striker, the signings of Delap and Pedro certainly add further depth to the role. Chelsea also have Nicolas Jackson in their squad, who will hope to continue his impressive form in a Blues shirt since his arrival two years ago.

Chelsea's dream line-up for start of 2025/26 season: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Delap