CHELSEA will kick off the 2024-25 Premier League season with a nightmare fixture against champions Manchester City.
New boss Enzo Maresca is preparing for life in the Stamford Bridge dugout after replacing Mauricio Pochettino.
GettyChelsea will play Man City in their first game of the new season[/caption]
New boss Enzo Maresca will have to outwit old master Pep GuardiolaEPA
Poch walked away from West London by mutual consent after leading Chelsea to a sixth-place finish.
But Maresca, who took Leicester to the Championship title, will have a trial by fire as Chelsea host Man City in his very first game on Sunday August 18 at 4.30pm.
Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant during City’s historic Treble campaign and will have to outwit his former boss to start the season with a bang.
Chelsea then play Wolves and have their first London derby of the season straight after against Crystal Palace.
A tough November run sees the Blues play Liverpool followed by Newcastle, Man United and Arsenal.
Chelsea face Fulham on Boxing Day, with Palace their first game of 2025.
And they then wrap up their campaign away to Nottingham Forest, having come off the back of games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd.
Todd Boehly is expected to bankroll another summer of expensive signings as Maresca looks to immediately implement his possession-based style of play.
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And despite signing a five-year contract, the expectation will be for Maresca to return Chelsea to the Champions League after a two-year absence.
The likes of Reece James and Enzo Fernandez could be set for huge seasons, with Maresca’s philosophy involving an inverted full-back and a midfield playmaker maestro.
Chelsea have already made a savvy signing in free agent and former Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who replaces Stamford Bridge legend Thiago Silva.
And talks continue for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, who could be involved in a swap deal involving Conor Gallagher or Ian Maatsen.
Chelsea also hope to win the race for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, while Maresca could yet plump for a new ball-playing goalkeeper.
In total, there will be 380 Premier League matches spread across 33 weekends, four midweek rounds of fixtures and a Bank Holiday matchweek.
The 2024-25 season gets underway on the weekend of August 17-18 and finishes on May 25, 2025.
