Chelsea’s 2025/26 campaign is shaping up to be one of the most defining seasons of the modern era. With a fresh crop of young stars, a manager who is unafraid to gamble, and a fanbase desperate for both stability and excitement, Enzo Maresca has unveiled a tactical blueprint that feels both daring and futuristic.
The Italian coach has signaled a dramatic shift in approach ahead of their crucial showdown: Alejandro Garnacho is set to start on the left wing, Brazilian wonderkid Estevão Willian will take his place on the right, while Cole Palmer assumes command in the central attacking midfield role.
Backing them up is a midfield engine room of Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos, tasked with both shielding the defense and feeding the forward line. But the biggest twist? World Cup winner Enzo Fernández is left on the bench — reserved as a super-sub capable of flipping the game in its later stages. Add Pedro Neto to the list of impact players waiting in the wings, and suddenly Chelsea have depth, dynamism, and unpredictability.
This isn’t just a lineup. It’s a statement of intent. It’s Maresca telling the football world: Chelsea are here to attack the future head-on.
Garnacho: The Wild Card on the Left
Every time Alejandro Garnacho receives the ball, there is a collective rise of anticipation in the stands. Chelsea fans wanted a forward who plays with swagger, directness, and the ability to terrify defenders. They now have that player.
Deployed on the left, Garnacho’s brief is simple yet devastating: attack relentlessly. Whether he chooses to cut inside on his favored right foot or stretch the pitch by hugging the touchline, he will force Bayern’s backline into uncomfortable positions.
In Maresca’s system, Garnacho does not just stay wide — he is encouraged to drift centrally, link with Palmer, and press high to win possession in dangerous zones. This versatility means Bayern cannot relax. If their right-back pushes up, Garnacho can punish the space in behind. If they sit deep, he will isolate his man one-on-one — a duel he relishes.
Chelsea have lacked a winger with such fearless dynamism in recent years. Garnacho provides that X-factor, the chaotic energy that can turn a tight match on its head.
Estevão Willian: The Samba Prodigy
On the opposite flank, Estevão Willian represents the other half of Chelsea’s youthful revolution. Still only 17, he carries the weight of immense expectation, often compared to Neymar for his flair, balance, and audacity. Yet what makes him dangerous isn’t just talent — it is his fearlessness.
Estevão thrives on taking defenders on, drawing fouls, and creating moments of magic that shift momentum. Playing on the right allows him to cut inside on his stronger left foot, opening angles for shots or defense-splitting passes.
Together with Garnacho, Chelsea suddenly have dual-wing threat. In past seasons, opponents could suffocate Chelsea’s attacks by neutralizing one side. Not anymore. With Garnacho stretching one flank and Estevão destabilizing the other, defenses must spread wider, leaving gaps through the middle for Palmer to exploit.
This isn’t just tactical evolution — it’s football played with joy and audacity.
Cole Palmer: Chelsea’s Conductor
No Chelsea player embodies leadership and creativity quite like Cole Palmer. Last season’s breakout star, Palmer has now been handed the keys to orchestrate attacks from the number ten role.
From this central pocket of space, Palmer can influence every phase of play. His role is to drift into half-spaces, combine with both wingers, and deliver the final pass to release runners in behind. At the same time, his eye for goal means defenders cannot leave him unmarked around the edge of the box.
Maresca’s tactical tweak is clear: if Garnacho and Estevão are the blades, Palmer is the hand that guides the sword. Every attack will flow through him. Chelsea’s chances of success depend heavily on Palmer thriving in this central creative role — a responsibility he seems more than ready to embrace.
The Midfield Shield: Caicedo and Santos
Chelsea’s struggles in recent seasons often stemmed from a midfield lacking balance. That problem appears to be solved with the partnership of Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos.
- Caicedo brings defensive steel. His ability to read danger, intercept passes, and cover ground ensures Chelsea do not get overrun. He will likely spend much of the game shadowing Bayern’s key creators, preventing them from dictating the tempo.
- Santos complements him with technical poise. Still developing, Santos has shown flashes of maturity beyond his years. His willingness to progress the ball and link quickly with the forwards provides the rhythm Chelsea need.
The duo offer both aggression and calmness, laying the foundation for the front three to express themselves without fear.
Enzo Fernández: The Luxury Weapon
Perhaps the boldest move of all is Maresca’s decision to bench Enzo Fernández. On paper, leaving out one of the squad’s most technically gifted midfielders feels almost sacrilegious. But in reality, it is a strategic choice.
Maresca wants Enzo fresh for the second half, when tired legs will struggle to cope with his vision and passing range. It also echoes his most effective role last season, when he came off the bench to shift the game’s momentum.
Instead of exhausting him early, Maresca is treating Enzo as a tactical weapon — a player capable of delivering the killer blow when the opposition begins to fade.
Neto: The Silent Assassin
Another intriguing option lies with Pedro Neto, whose pace and directness make him a nightmare for defenders in the final 20 minutes. Whether replacing Garnacho, Estevão, or even operating as a second striker, Neto’s ability to exploit spaces against a tiring Bayern defense could prove decisive.
Chelsea now possess genuine depth — something that was sorely missing not long ago.
The Bigger Picture
This lineup is more than a tactical experiment; it is the blueprint of a new Chelsea identity. For years, the club has struggled with balancing its rich history of success with a desire to build for the future. Maresca is attempting to do both.
By trusting Garnacho, Estevão, Santos, and Palmer, he is showing that the future does not need to wait. Chelsea’s present can already be powered by youth. Yet, by keeping world-class players like Enzo and Neto in reserve, he is ensuring the squad retains experience and composure when needed most.
It is a system that screams ambition — risky, yes, but also refreshing in a league where too many teams settle for caution.
Final Thoughts: Risk versus Reward
Chelsea’s tactical shift for this game is dripping with both potential glory and possible disaster. If it clicks, Maresca will be hailed as a visionary who trusted his young stars to deliver on Europe’s grandest stage. If it fails, critics will question whether too much faith was placed in youth too soon.
Yet, football is a sport that rewards bravery. By handing responsibility to Garnacho, Estevão, and Palmer, Maresca is betting not just on their talent, but on their character. With Caicedo and Santos anchoring midfield, Enzo waiting as a game-changer, and Neto providing depth, Chelsea look armed for battle.
