Chelsea`s recruitment of forwards has been relentless since the Clearlake Capital consortium`s takeover in the summer of 2022. The club has brought in 19 wingers, strikers, and attacking midfielders on permanent deals, a number set to increase to 20 soon with the expected arrival of Borussia Dortmund`s Jamie Gittens. Gittens is anticipated to join after the Club World Cup, following Joao Pedro, who recently signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in a $69 million transfer and is scheduled to participate in the final stages of the tournament.
This spending spree totals over half a billion dollars invested solely in the attack during the three years under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. Interestingly, a portion of this significant expenditure felt genuinely necessary. While opinions vary on the specific players acquired, it was evident by the end of last season that Enzo Maresca`s side required a left winger to replace Jadon Sancho (who understandably returned to Manchester United despite a penalty fee) and a second senior striker to either compete with or take over from Nicolas Jackson. Aspiring to transition from Champions League regulars to title challengers might necessitate further additions of top-tier talent.
However, as we delve into this extensive list, it becomes clear there are numerous factors to consider beyond just whether the current attackers can help win major honors. What is the market value for Raheem Sterling, two years out from the expiration of his substantial $410,000-a-week contract, his standing affected by a disappointing loan spell? Are Deivid Washington and David Datro Fofana destined to join a `loan army` reminiscent of the Roman Abramovich era, spending years away from the club hoping a permanent buyer emerges? There`s a considerable amount to analyze when ranking these players. Our approach is a blend of objective assessment and subjective judgment, weighing their current importance to Chelsea against the quality of their performances in recent seasons. The identity of the top player might not be a surprise…
Cole Palmer
More than just Chelsea`s standout player, Cole Palmer is a prime example of how effective the recruitment model can be at Stamford Bridge. Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart were willing to spend significantly, around $55 million, to sign Palmer from the fringes of the Manchester City squad – a fee they could comfortably double or even treble in the unlikely event of a sale. At his peak early last season, he was arguably the most effective attacker in the Premier League after Mohamed Salah, and even after a slight dip, he finished in the division`s top 10 for both assists and goals. With Palmer, Chelsea undoubtedly possess a player who can be a star in a championship-winning squad.
Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson may sometimes frustrate supporters, but crucially, he consistently gets into goal-scoring positions, a hallmark of effective strikers. Last season, he averaged 3.41 non-penalty shots on goal per 90 minutes, matching Erling Haaland`s rate. His non-penalty xG of 0.55 is also highly impressive. The shot chart below demonstrates that many of his attempts are from promising locations, with his 0.163 xG per shot significantly exceeding the Premier League average. His strong link-up play with Cole Palmer is also notable.
While questions exist about his composure in front of goal and overall maturity, it`s worth remembering he is still only 24. With a contract extending just past his 32nd birthday, there is ample time to address the areas that separate him from elite strikers like Victor Osimhen.
Joao Pedro
Since arriving in England with Watford five years ago, Joao Pedro has consistently appeared to be a potentially valuable player. He possesses innate talent, and his knack for creating scoring chances for himself and teammates, along with drawing fouls, points to a footballing intellect advanced for his 23 years. Joao Pedro has been utilized across the forward line, which might highlight his versatility or suggest he hasn`t fully established himself in one role. His goal return, 19 in the last two Premier League seasons, sounds good, but nine were penalties. As a striker, he excels in non-traditional striker tasks: assisting, progressing the ball, and winning back possession. Compared to other wingers, he takes a decent number of shots. Having a versatile attacking player can be beneficial, but perhaps not at a $70 million price point.
It didn`t take long to reach the players whose acquisitions are more questionable.
Liam Delap
Another player whose long-term potential is uncertain. Liam Delap performed well last season for an Ipswich side that struggled to avoid relegation. In addition to his 12 goals, he offered significant work rate as a center forward. Looking favorably, he averaged eight shots per 100 touches last season, a rate exceeded only by Jackson in the Chelsea squad. He has the raw attributes and has performed commendably in the Club World Cup. However, whether he can make the leap to become a starting number 9 for a title challenger remains to be seen.
Jamie Gittens
The only player on this list not yet formally a Chelsea player, Gittens is expected to complete his move from Borussia Dortmund after the Club World Cup concludes. Upon arrival, he will add valuable speed to Maresca`s attacking options and a genuine capability to accelerate past defenders. He looked devastating in the transition-focused Bundesliga, though his eight goals came from a relatively low 3.6 xG. To truly shine, particularly in a less open league, he will need to improve his output in terms of creation and finishing. At $76.1 million, this is a gamble, but Gittens shoots well and can be eased into the squad as a supplementary attacker in a 4-2-3-1 system. This acquisition could prove successful.
Noni Madueke
Purely based on talent, Madueke belongs higher, arguably in the third spot. The young winger showed signs of a significant step up last season, with a return of 11 goals and four assists that perhaps doesn`t fully reflect how consistently the 23-year-old got into dangerous positions. Averaging three and a half shots per 90 minutes is an excellent indicator for a winger, especially when not padded with low-percentage efforts from distance. If Madueke maintains the progress shown in 2024-25, he has the potential to become one of the Premier League`s best attackers in the near future.
It is puzzling, then, that Chelsea seems prepared to sell him to fund other signings. Their aim should be to roughly double their initial investment, which, if achieved, would make his transfer an undeniable success. However, if you`ve helped a player develop to the point of becoming a genuinely threatening Premier League attacker, surely it makes sense to benefit from their peak form yourself?
Pedro Neto
After acquiring Pedro Neto for over $70 million, seemingly outbidding competitors, Chelsea got more than anticipated in one key area: appearances. His 44 matches in all competitions exceeded his combined total from the previous two years at Wolves, suggesting his primary issue wasn`t a lack of match fitness. However, he simply does not produce final product as often as required. His six goals were scored from a relatively low 3.8 xG. A combined expected goals and assists total of 0.33 per 90 Premier League minutes is simply not the standard Chelsea should demand.
Estevao Willian
Predicting how the 18-year-old will adapt upon moving from Brazil to England this summer is, of course, impossible. However, he has already dominated in his home country at a very young age, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists during his age-16 season with Palmeiras. While his transition to London remains to be seen, his impressive performance against Porto in the Club World Cup is a promising indicator for his prospects across the Atlantic.
Tyrique George
One of the positive aspects of Chelsea`s Conference League campaign was the opportunity it provided for Tyrique George to gain senior game time. By the end of the season, he had progressed from playing for the second team to securing a promising role as a super-sub in the Premier League. Reports suggest the 19-year-old might be loaned out this summer, a sensible move given he appears ready for consistent minutes that Maresca might not be able to offer him immediately.
Christopher Nkunku
It seems probable that Christopher Nkunku will depart Chelsea if a suitable offer is received, following a challenging season for the former Bundesliga player of the season. Given the current ownership`s inconsistent transfer record, it`s tempting to look for flaws that could have been identified when the 27-year-old was signed. In reality, this was likely a case of Nkunku suffering unfortunate injuries just as he seemed set for a strong season, combined with Cole Palmer excelling and taking over the number 10 role.
Marc Guiu
It`s undeniable that Marc Guiu was too good for opponents like Shamrock Rovers and Astana in the Conference League. What this means for his long-term role as a center forward at Chelsea will likely become clearer after spending a season or two out on loan. Nevertheless, as a $7 million acquisition, the risk for the Blues concerning the 19-year-old`s development is relatively low.
Kendry Paez
Another player whose impact on the Chelsea senior side is yet to be determined. Kendry Paez is expected to spend the next season on loan at Strasbourg, his first step into European football. This attacking midfielder already holds records as the youngest debutant and scorer in Ecuador`s top flight.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Some might argue that Carney Chukwuemeka is included here simply to reach the number 20 count, to which we respond with the classic line: `I prefer not to speak.` However, if forced to speak, I would point out that he occupies the same attacking midfield position as Palmer and therefore qualifies as an attacker on this list.
Regarding Chukwuemeka the player, the glimpses shown in a Chelsea shirt indicate genuine talent, although his early career has been hampered by injuries. Chelsea would ideally prefer a permanent sale for the former Aston Villa player but may have to settle for another loan spell. Borussia Dortmund is reportedly more open to bringing him back to Germany temporarily than meeting Chelsea`s demands for a permanent transfer.
Armando Broja
Armando Broja has been part of the potential outgoing group for some time, not helped by seemingly exaggerated valuations, such as the reported $68.5 million Chelsea allegedly wanted for him in January 2024. In 331 Premier League minutes during his loan spell at Everton last season, Broja registered only four shots. It appears difficult for Chelsea to command a significant fee for him this summer.
Omari Kellyman
An argument could be made against including Kellyman on this list, given a hamstring injury prevented him from opportunities last season – whether through a loan, Conference League participation, or minutes with the youth setup. However, Chelsea did invest $26 million in him last summer. That level of spending implies intent for the first team, even if it`s not yet clear if they have acquired a player who will make an impact at that level.
David Datro Fofana
When Chelsea secured Fofana, it appeared their scouts had unearthed a promising talent in Norway. However, three loan spells have passed without significant success, with the second half of last season sidelined due to a knee injury. The club will find it challenging to secure a long-term buyer for Fofana.
Deivid Washington
Let`s check in on Deivid Washington, who was sent back to his homeland with Santos to build form…
Based on the comparison, it`s not going particularly well.
Raheem Sterling
It`s not that the final three players are entirely devoid of talent compared to those ranked higher, nor is it completely impossible to imagine them carving out a future at Chelsea. However, it`s very nearly impossible, particularly in Raheem Sterling`s situation.
Perhaps a Premier League club might take a gamble on Sterling, hoping that his difficulties weren`t a loss of pace but rather a lack of sufficient minutes to regain sharpness. It`s conceivable he could play for a club like Crystal Palace or Fulham if he were willing to accept a lower salary. However, his struggles did strongly suggest a physical decline, indicating he was past his peak even before joining Chelsea.
Joao Felix
Of these final three, Joao Felix`s continued presence on the roster is perhaps the most bewildering. The club had an extended opportunity to assess him during the second half of the 2022-23 season. A generous evaluation might deem him a player of some talent, but certainly not someone prudent to commit significant long-term funds to.
Yet, Chelsea signed him permanently just 10 months ago, in what appeared to be a financial maneuver potentially aimed at facilitating the sale of the more consistently useful Conor Gallagher. Now, they are committed to Felix for another six years unless they can find a buyer. A Saudi Arabian club might offer a rescue, which could also be an appealing option for Felix. Absent that, it`s difficult to see straightforward solutions for Chelsea beyond a continuous cycle of subsidized loan deals.
Mykhailo Mudryk
While there`s a faint possibility, however slim, that Chelsea could move on Sterling and Felix, it`s currently hard to see a path for Mykhailo Mudryk, who faces a potential ban of up to four years following a failed drug test. It`s important to note that even with the maximum ban commencing from his provisional suspension date, he would still have two and a half years remaining on his Chelsea contract when eligible to play again (though questions about contract termination for gross misconduct would likely arise).
Regardless of the ban, Mudryk has not been a particularly effective presence since Chelsea`s investment of up to $118 million. The Ukrainian quickly appeared to be a player who struggled to effectively leverage his pace, managing only 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances.
Dominic Ashworth