Chelsea face their final game of the 2025/26 season on Sunday afternoon, travelling to the Stadium of Light to take on one of the Premier League’s surprise packages in newly promoted Sunderland.
The Black Cats have already beaten the Blues earlier this campaign. Revenge? Possibly.
But there’s more at stake than pride. A Europa League spot is still within reach. And watching from the stands? New manager Xabi Alonso, preparing to take charge next season.
Added motivation? Absolutely.
How Chelsea have lined up recently
Rob Sanchez is the first choice goalkeeper when healthy. Filip Jorgensen filled in briefly when Sanchez was out with a head injury.
In defence, we’ve seen Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella, Wes Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah all play in some combination of a back four or back five.
James has also played in midfield, where Moises Caicedo has partnered Andrey Santos or Romeo Lavia in recent outings. Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer have been utilised as inside forwards for the most part, with Cucurella deployed as a left winger/left wing back to provide width.
Pedro Neto came back in to play on the wing against Tottenham.
Up front, Joao Pedro is the in form striker but was missing from the squad in midweek. He was replaced by the out of form Liam Delap, who is set to finish his debut campaign with only two goals in 1600 minutes.
Chelsea’s recent form and tactics
The Blues have fluctuated between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1 depending on personnel and the ideal defensive setup. They still aim to control possession, but there’s a greater emphasis on stretching the opposition either with wing backs in the 3-2-4-1 or by using the full backs better in the 4-2-3-1.
The team isn’t in the best form. Just two wins in their last eight. A draw with Liverpool arrested the worst of their league slide, but they were put back in their place in the FA Cup final, fairly toothless in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
The goals have largely dried up. They haven’t scored more than once in a fixture since Port Vale in April. Take lower league opposition out of the equation, and you have to go back to March 11, the 5-2 loss to Paris Saint Germain.
Latest Chelsea team news
According to PremierInjuries, there are a number of injuries and fitness issues. Attackers Jamie Gittens, Estevao and Mykhailo Mudryk have all been out for some time. Romeo Lavia had an extended run of fitness before suffering a small issue ahead of the FA Cup final and has been out of the squad.
Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill were absent from the squad in midweek for precautionary issues. Both are being assessed before the Sunderland fixture and will be late decisions.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Sunderland (4-2-3-1)
GK Rob Sanchez
LB Marc Cucurella
CB Jorrel Hato
CB Trevoh Chalobah
RB Reece James (c)
DM Andrey Santos
DM Moises Caicedo
W Pedro Neto
W Cole Palmer
AM Enzo Fernandez
ST Liam Delap
The bottom line
Alonso is watching. Europa League qualification is on the line. Sunderland have already beaten Chelsea once this season.
The Blues need a win and help from elsewhere.
But first, they need to show their new manager that there’s something worth building on. A flat performance won’t cut it. Not today.
Delap needs goals. Palmer needs spark. The defence needs solidity.
Everything is on the line. And Alonso will be taking notes.
