It’s been a strange start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign — not least for those watching the odds shift on BETDAQ, where the betting exchange markets have struggled to keep pace with an unpredictable top flight.
Arsenal have stormed out of the blocks after a strong summer window, laying down a near-impossible challenge for the chasing pack.
For a side that has finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, often by painfully narrow margins, Mikel Arteta’s men finally look destined to claim their long-awaited crown.
Manchester City remain in the picture but not as imperious as years past, while Liverpool’s title defence is already in tatters — a startling drop-off that sees them eighth with just 21 points from 13 matches. And then, to the surprise of many, there’s Chelsea.
A year too soon — or the start of something serious?
Chelsea have emerged as unlikely dark horses. After lifting both the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup last season, Enzo Maresca’s side were expected to show improvement — but not necessarily to trouble the top of the table.
Yet six points off Arsenal after 13 games is not a position to be dismissed lightly, particularly when the Blues held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge despite playing over a full half with 10 men following Moises Caicedo’s dismissal.
This isn’t a squad short on talent or depth. In fact, depth is arguably Chelsea’s greatest asset — the very attribute Arsenal have lacked in their recent near-misses.
Core players finally hitting their potential
Several Chelsea players are enjoying their best football:
- Reece James, at long last free of injury, has reminded Europe why he’s considered one of the best right-backs in the world.
- Robert Sanchez, under immense scrutiny in previous seasons, has elevated his performances to silence critics.
- Marc Cucurella, once viewed as an expensive misstep, is now in genuine contention for being the best left-back in world football.
- Caicedo, despite the red card, has grown into a dominating presence in midfield and built a smooth partnership with Enzo Fernandez.
Add to that the contributions from a wave of summer signings — something rarely said in the Todd Boehly era — and the picture becomes even rosier.
Joao Pedro and Estevao, in particular, look like inspired additions. Estevao especially feels special; he’s the type of player who changes the electricity of a stadium the moment he touches the ball. Stamford Bridge hasn’t felt that buzz since the early days of Eden Hazard.
A rebuild reaching maturity
The billion-pound rebuild has been chaotic at times, but it finally appears to be taking shape. Chelsea now has:
- A balanced, tactically fluid squad
- Strong competition for places
- A clear identity under Maresca
- A youthful core that is improving rapidly
- Match-winners in every department
On paper and increasingly on the pitch, this is a squad capable of competing for the top four — and possibly, if everything aligned, the title. But realistically, when will Chelsea truly be ready?
So, when will Chelsea become genuine title challengers?
The Blues haven’t lifted the Premier League trophy since 2017. Their recent trajectory suggests they are finally building toward a new peak, but title races are won not only with talent, but also with consistency, experience, and resilience under pressure.
Chelsea is showing flashes of all three. But flashes are not enough to topple an Arsenal side at their prime or a Manchester City outfit that has mastered long-haul title battles.
Next season — 2026/27 — is the year when Chelsea should legitimately expect to challenge. If Chelsea continue on this upward curve, the question won’t be if they can fight for the title, but how far they can push the likes of Arsenal and City.
