Based on last season’s remarkable success, which saw them clinch a top-four Premier League finish, lift the UEFA Conference League trophy, and add the FIFA Club World Cup to their cabinet, Chelsea fans have been ranked as the most optimistic heading into the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
This is according to The Athletic’s annual hope-o-meter survey, which gauges the mood of supporters ahead of the new season.
In Enzo Maresca’s debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, there were early doubts about whether the Italian could impose his intricate possession-heavy style on a squad that had endured an inconsistent spell under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, those concerns were quickly eased as the Blues found their rhythm, winning crucial games both domestically and internationally.
The turnaround culminated in Chelsea not only securing Champions League qualification but also lifting two major trophies in the same season.
Their Conference League triumph showcased tactical flexibility, while their Club World Cup victory highlighted the squad’s mental resilience on the biggest stage. This run of success has understandably boosted fan confidence to extraordinary levels.
In the latest 2025/26 hope-o-meter poll, 98% of Chelsea fans declared themselves optimistic, with just 2% pessimistic, the highest optimism rating of any club.
This is a staggering leap from last season, when they sat bottom of the rankings with only 29% optimism and 71% pessimism.
Liverpool follow closely in second place with 97% optimism, building on last season’s 93% as Arne Slot’s side continues to challenge on all fronts.
Brighton occupy third with 95%, reflecting steady belief in Fabian Hürzeler’s exciting project, up from 87% the previous year.
Sunderland, who have made ambitious signings such as Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, take fourth spot with 91% optimism.
Newcastle, however, sit rock bottom with only 19% optimism, a drop that underlines concerns about their squad depth and competitiveness this season.
The hope-o-meter is a straightforward sentiment test. Each year, The Athletic asks self-identifying Premier League fans a single question: “How are you feeling about your club’s prospects this season?”
Supporters respond with either ‘optimistic’ or ‘pessimistic,’ with room for additional comments. While not a scientific model, and lacking the statistical complexity of xG or possession maps, it remains a light-hearted yet telling snapshot of supporter sentiment.
However, optimism doesn’t always align with analytical forecasts. Opta’s supercomputer model for the 2025/26 season has given Chelsea just an 8% chance of winning the Premier League title.
Yet they remain strong favourites for a top-four finish, suggesting expectations are high but tempered with realism.
Chelsea begin their league campaign at home to Crystal Palace this Sunday. A winning start would not only reinforce their position at the top of the hope-o-meter but also send a statement to the rest of the league.
Maresca’s men will look to carry over their impressive pre-season form, which included dominant victories over AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, into competitive action.
