Game used for reference: Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea, 2025/2026 Champions League, Round 6
The Toffees have won four out of their last five matches and have skyrocketed up the table. However, Chelsea will prove to be one of their toughest challenges yet.
The reigning world champions are currently fifth in the table, but they’ve struggled as of late, not clinching a win in three straight league games. Despite beating Barcelona in the Champions League, Chelsea followed that performance up with a loss against Atalanta.
Chelsea are a team that love to hit on the counter. Alejandro Garnacho, for example, is great at attacking space that full backs leave behind.
While they have players with great on-ball quantities, they can transition from defense to attack very quickly. Cole Palmer, who has missed large chunks of the season with injury, is slowly being integrated into their squad. If he features in the match, Everton’s back line and defensive midfielders will have to do a superb job to keep him quiet.
Defensively, Chelsea are stacked with talent like Marc Cucurella, Reece James, and Wesley Fofana. Everton’s offense is beginning to click, however, and Iliman Ndiaye will be available to play, which will be a tough test for Curullela.
Nobody could have expected this match to be as important as it will be. With Chelsea looking to to get back on track and the Toffees rising, the stakes are high. A win here for Everton would truly put the eyes of the world on them and their European aspirations.