Chelsea’s return to the Champions League wasn’t just a triumph on the pitch—it was also a historic milestone in Premier League history.

The Blues have officially set a new record for the youngest average starting XI across a Premier League season.

Enzo Maresca’s side sealed a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the campaign, a result that confirmed a fourth-place finish and qualification for the Champions League league phase. But beyond the result, it highlighted the success of Chelsea’s bold youth-first strategy.

According to official statistics, Chelsea’s starting line-up this season had an average age of just 24 years and 36 days, making it the youngest in Premier League history over a full season.

The record reflects the club’s long-term vision, with young stars like Malo Gusto, Moisés Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, and Cole Palmer playing prominent roles throughout the campaign. Despite their inexperience, they displayed the composure and resilience needed to compete at the highest level.

Coach Enzo Maresca deserves huge credit for guiding this youthful team to Champions League qualification in his first season in charge. The record not only underlines the depth of talent at Chelsea but also signals a bright future at Stamford Bridge.

With Europe’s elite competition returning to SW6 and a new generation of Blues making history, the future is not just promising—it’s already here.