Chelsea`s relentless pursuit of attacking talent shows no signs of stopping. Since the Clearlake Capital consortium took ownership in the summer of 2022, the club has brought in a staggering 19 wingers, strikers, and attacking midfielders on permanent deals. This number is set to reach a round 20 soon with the anticipated arrival of Borussia Dortmund`s Jamie Gittens, who is expected to join after the Club World Cup, following the recent $69 million signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton.
This extensive spending amounts to over half a billion dollars invested solely in the attack under the three-year leadership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. What`s particularly noteworthy is that some of this investment seemed genuinely necessary. While opinions on Chelsea`s specific player choices may vary, it was clear by the end of last season that Enzo Maresca`s squad required a left winger to replace Jadon Sancho (sent back to Manchester United despite a penalty fee) and a second senior striker to either compete with or supersede Nicolas Jackson. To transition from Champions League contenders to title challengers, further injections of top-tier talent might still be needed.
However, as we explore this extensive list, many other factors come into play beyond whether the current forwards can help Chelsea win major trophies. What is the potential market for Raheem Sterling, who has two years left on his significant salary but saw his value decrease after a disappointing loan spell? Are players like Deivid Washington and David Datro Fofana destined to become the new generation of the “loan army” reminiscent of the Roman Abramovich era, spending years moving between clubs with the hope of a permanent transfer?
There`s a considerable amount to evaluate. Ranking these players is more subjective than scientific, taking into account their current importance to Chelsea, their recent performance quality, and their future potential. Let`s see who lands at the top…
1. Cole Palmer
More than just Chelsea`s standout player, Cole Palmer perfectly exemplifies how recruitment should ideally function at Stamford Bridge. Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart weren`t hesitant to invest heavily, signing Palmer for around $55 million from the fringes of the Manchester City squad – a fee they could easily double or triple if they ever decided to sell. At his peak early last season, he was among the Premier League`s elite attackers, and even after a slight dip, he finished in the top 10 for both goals and assists. With Palmer, Chelsea possesses a player capable of being a star on a championship-winning team.
2. Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson can frustrate fans at times, but regardless of whether his shots find the net, he consistently does what top strikers must: he gets into scoring positions. Last season, his non-penalty shot attempts per 90 minutes matched Erling Haaland`s rate at 3.41. His non-penalty xG of 0.55 is also very impressive. Data shows that many of his shots are high-quality efforts, with an xG per shot of 0.163, well above the Premier League average. His developing partnership with Cole Palmer is also noteworthy.
Concerns exist about his finishing composure and maturity, but it`s worth remembering he is still only 24. With a contract running until after his 32nd birthday, there is ample time for him to refine the aspects of his game that separate him from an elite striker like Victor Osimhen.
3. Joao Pedro
Since arriving in England with Watford five years ago, Joao Pedro has consistently appeared to be a genuinely intriguing player. He possesses the fundamental qualities, and his ability to create chances for himself and teammates, along with drawing fouls, indicates a footballing intelligence beyond his 23 years. Joao Pedro has been used across the attack, which could signal his versatility or perhaps suggest he doesn`t consistently dominate in one specific role. His goal tally of 19 in the last two Premier League seasons sounds good, but nine were penalties. As a striker, he excels in secondary areas like assisting, ball progression, and winning possession. Compared to wingers, he gets plenty of shots. A player who can operate in multiple forward roles is valuable, perhaps just not at the $70 million price tag.
Evidently, it hasn`t taken long to reach the more questionable signings on this list.
4. Liam Delap
Another player difficult to predict long-term, Liam Delap performed well last season for an Ipswich side that struggled for survival. Beyond his 12 goals, he contributed significantly with a high work rate as a center forward. A generous perspective notes he averaged eight shots per 100 touches last season, a higher rate than anyone else in the Chelsea squad except Jackson. The raw talent is present, and he has impressed in the Club World Cup. However, it remains uncertain if he can elevate his game to become a starting No. 9 for a title-contending team.
5. Jamie Gittens
The only player on this list not yet officially a Chelsea player, Gittens is expected to finalize his transfer from Borussia Dortmund after the Club World Cup. His arrival will inject valuable pace into Maresca`s attacking options and a strong ability to beat defenders. He looked devastating in the transition-focused Bundesliga, but his eight goals came from a relatively low 3.6 xG. To truly succeed in England, he needs to improve his creation and shot-taking. At $76.1 million, this signing appears to be a gamble, but Gittens does shoot well and could be integrated gradually as a third attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This could turn out to be a shrewd acquisition.
6. Noni Madueke
Purely based on quality, Madueke could be ranked higher, perhaps in the third position. The young winger seemed to be making significant progress last season, with a return of 11 goals and four assists that perhaps doesn`t fully capture how consistently the 23-year-old got himself into dangerous positions. Averaging three and a half shots per 90 minutes is a strong indicator for a winger, especially as he doesn`t inflate this number with low-percentage efforts from distance. If Madueke maintains his trajectory from 2024-25, he has the potential to become one of England`s best attackers in the near future.
It`s curious, then, that Chelsea seems prepared to offload him to facilitate other signings. Doubling their investment should be the target, and if they achieve that, the signing could be considered a success. However, if they`ve developed a player to the brink of becoming a dangerous Premier League attacker, wouldn`t it make sense to reap the benefits of his peak performance in their own colours?
7. Pedro Neto
After outbidding rivals with a deal exceeding $70 million, Chelsea did get more than anticipated from Pedro Neto in one crucial area: appearances. The 44 matches he played across all competitions surpassed his total from the previous two years at Wolves combined. However, this highlights that Neto`s primary issue wasn`t a lack of fitness; he simply doesn`t deliver end product as frequently as he should. His six goals came from a modest 3.8 xG. A combined expected goals and expected assists rate of 0.33 per 90 Premier League minutes is simply not up to the standard Chelsea should demand.
8. Estevao Willian
It is, of course, impossible to predict how the 18-year-old will adapt when he moves from Brazil to England this summer. However, at a very young age, he was excelling in his home country, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists in his age 16 season with Palmeiras. While his adjustment to London is unknown, his promising performance against Porto in the Club World Cup offers a positive sign for his future in Europe.
9. Tyrique George
One of the positive outcomes of Chelsea`s participation in the Conference League was the senior game time it provided for Tyrique George. By the end of the season, his impactful minutes with the secondary squad translated into a supersub role in the Premier League. Reports suggest the 19-year-old might go out on loan this summer, which seems like a smart move given he appears ready for consistent game time that Maresca might not be able to offer him immediately.
10. Christopher Nkunku
If a suitable offer materializes, it appears likely that Christopher Nkunku will leave Chelsea. Last season proved to be a frustrating one for the former Bundesliga Player of the Season. Given the current ownership`s mixed transfer record, it`s tempting to look for flaws that could have been identified before signing the 27-year-old. However, it`s more probable that Nkunku`s difficulties were simply a consequence of getting injured just as he looked set for a strong season, compounded by Cole Palmer subsequently claiming the number 10 spot.
11. Marc Guiu
There`s no denying that Marc Guiu was clearly too good for the level of competition faced in the early stages of the Conference League against teams like Shamrock Rovers and Astana. What this means for his long-term prospects as a Chelsea center forward will likely only become apparent after one or two loan spells. Nevertheless, as a $7 million acquisition, the risk associated with the 19-year-old`s development is relatively low for the club.
12. Kendry Paez
Another player whose impact on the Chelsea first team will only be revealed over time. Kendry Paez is expected to spend next season on loan at Strasbourg, which will serve as a crucial first step in European football for the attacking midfielder. He holds the records for being both the youngest debutant and youngest scorer in Ecuador`s top flight.
13. Carney Chukwuemeka
Some might suggest Carney Chukwuemeka is included simply to reach the count of 20, to which we might respond with the classic quote, `I prefer not to speak.` But if we were to speak, we`d point out that he plays the same attacking midfield position as Palmer, so he counts as an attacker in this context.
Regarding Chukwuemeka the player, the glimpses seen in a Chelsea shirt suggest a genuinely talented prospect whose early career has been hampered by injuries. While Chelsea would ideally prefer a permanent sale for the former Aston Villa player, they may have to settle for another loan spell this year. Borussia Dortmund, for instance, is reportedly more willing to take him back on a temporary basis than meet Chelsea`s demands for a transfer fee.
14. Armando Broja
Armando Broja has been a consistent member of the loan group for some time now, a situation not helped by seemingly inflated valuations, such as the reported $68.5 million Chelsea sought for him in January 2024. In his 331 Premier League minutes on loan at Everton last season, Broja managed just four shots. It seems unlikely Chelsea will command a significant price for him this summer.
15. Omari Kellyman
There`s an argument against including Kellyman on this list, given that a hamstring injury last season prevented him from going on loan, featuring in the Conference League, or getting minutes in the youth setup. However, Chelsea did spend $26 million on him last summer. That`s considered first-team level money, even if it`s not yet clear if he`s a player who can directly impact the senior squad.
16. David Datro Fofana
When Chelsea signed Fofana, it appeared their scouts had identified a potential star from Norway. However, three loan spells later, he has yet to make a significant impact, spending the second half of last season recovering from a knee injury. The club will likely find it challenging to secure a long-term buyer for Fofana.
17. Deivid Washington
Let`s check on Deivid Washington, who was given an opportunity to build form back in his home country with Santos…
The statistics suggest things are not going particularly well.
18. Raheem Sterling
It`s not necessarily that the final three players on this list are inherently less talented than those ranked higher, nor is it entirely impossible to envision them having a future at Chelsea. However, for Sterling in particular, that prospect seems remote.
Perhaps another Premier League club might take a chance on Sterling, gambling that his struggles weren`t due to a decline in physical ability but rather a lack of consistent game time. One could imagine him at a club like Crystal Palace or Fulham if he were willing to accept a reduced salary next season. However, his performances, particularly during his loan spell, strongly suggested a genuine physical decline, indicating he has already passed the peak of his career curve, even before arriving at Chelsea.
19. Joao Felix
Among the players discussed here, Joao Felix`s continued presence on the roster is perhaps the most perplexing. The club assessed him closely during the latter half of the 2022-23 season, and even a charitable evaluation would conclude he is talented but not a player wisely acquired on a long-term, expensive deal.
Yet, Chelsea did exactly that ten months ago in what seemed like a financial maneuver aimed at potentially selling the valuable Conor Gallagher. Now, they are committed to Felix for another six years unless they can find a buyer. A Saudi Arabian club might potentially offer a solution that appeals to both the club and the player. Otherwise, Chelsea appears to be left with limited easy options beyond a continuous series of subsidized loan arrangements.
20. Mykhailo Mudryk
While there is at least some possibility of moving Sterling and Felix on (even if not for ideal fees), it`s difficult to see a clear path for Mykhailo Mudryk as things stand. He is currently facing a potential ban of up to four years following a failed drugs test. Notably, even if he were given the maximum ban from the date of his provisional suspension, he would still have two and a half years remaining on his Chelsea contract by the time he was eligible to play again (though his contract could potentially be terminated by the club for gross misconduct).
Regardless of the ban situation, Mudryk has not been a particularly impressive signing since Chelsea committed up to $118 million for him. The Ukrainian winger immediately appeared to struggle to effectively utilize his pace, delivering only 10 goals and 11 assists across 73 appearances.
