Chelsea's £150m Forwards Struggle to Find the Back of the Net

Get the inside track on the Premier League with The Radar, a Sky Sports column that delves into the stories that matter, using a mix of data and expert opinion. This week, we're examining: Chelsea's underperforming forwards, Semenyo's instant impact at Manchester City, and Sunderland's clutch player, Brian Brobbey. Chelsea fans might not be concerned about Enzo Fernandez's absence against Manchester City on Sunday, given his recent comments about Real Madrid, but his absence does mean they'll be without their second-highest scorer of non-penalty goals this season. The team will need to rely on other players to step up, especially considering their struggles in front of goal against top-tier opposition. Despite Joao Pedro's impressive 14 Premier League goals since his £60m move from Brighton, the rest of Chelsea's summer signings have struggled to find their footing. Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Estevao have managed just four Premier League goals between them, despite a combined transfer fee of £150.5m. At just 18, Estevao has shown promise, but the others have underperformed, with Delap being the biggest disappointment, having scored nearly three goals fewer than expected based on the quality of his chances. Their struggles raise questions about Chelsea's recruitment strategy, which has focused on young players, leaving them without reliable goal-scorers. In contrast, Manchester City's signing of Antoine Semenyo has proven to be a masterstroke, with the 26-year-old scoring more goals in nine games than Chelsea's quartet has in 78. Semenyo's ability to slot straight into the team and make an instant impact is a testament to the value of recruiting players who are ready to make an immediate contribution. His visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday may prompt Chelsea to reevaluate their approach to the transfer market. Elsewhere, Sunderland host Spurs on Sunday, with Brian Brobbey looking to continue his impressive form, having scored clutch goals in crucial matches. His ability to produce decisive contributions has been invaluable to Sunderland, with his goals worth a total of eight points this season. With a packed schedule on Super Sunday, including Crystal Palace vs Newcastle, Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa, and Sunderland vs Spurs, there's plenty to look forward to.