Chelsea captain Reece James has admitted the Blues’ 2025/26 campaign fell well below the standards expected at Stamford Bridge after the club missed out on European football.
A disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season confirmed Chelsea’s 10th-place finish, capping off a frustrating year for the west London side.
With Xabi Alonso officially set to begin his reign as Chelsea manager ahead of next season, James believes the squad must learn quickly and respond stronger.
“We need to digest this season,” James said. “It’s been far below our standards and we need to review and see where we can improve for next time.
“Just saying it [not qualifying for Europe] doesn’t sound right. We’re a club that has won a number of European trophies and this season we haven’t even qualified. So, we have lots to learn and improve.”
Chelsea struggled to find consistency throughout the season, and the defeat at the Stadium of Light reflected many of the issues that plagued their campaign.
Sunderland took control in the first half after Trai Hume fired home a near-post volley before an unfortunate Malo Gusto own goal doubled the hosts’ advantage.
Cole Palmer briefly gave Chelsea hope with a stunning strike, but Wesley Fofana’s red card effectively ended any hopes of a comeback as the Blues finished the game with 10 men.
James admitted the performance mirrored Chelsea’s wider struggles this season.
“I think it [defeat at Sunderland] probably reflects how our season has gone – we’ve underachieved,” added James.
“We had a few chances in the first half and we didn’t take them. I feel if we had taken our chances, the game would have been different.
“I never felt the game was done until the 100th minute when the whistle blew. We just lacked the final touches.”
Despite the disappointment, attention has already shifted toward next season and the arrival of Xabi Alonso.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder was confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach last weekend and is expected to oversee a major rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
James insists the expectations remain unchanged regardless of recent setbacks.
“Where Chelsea have always been – competing and winning titles and in Europe. They are the basics, the minimum, for this club.”
Chelsea players will now head into the summer break before returning for pre-season under Alonso, with pressure already building for a much stronger 2026/27 campaign.
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