Chelsea's Struggling Forwards: £150m Spent, Only Four Goals Scored

Get the inside scoop on the Premier League with The Radar, a Sky Sports column that combines data analysis and expert opinion to shed light on the stories that matter. This week's edition takes a closer look at Chelsea's underperforming forwards, the instant impact of Antoine Semenyo at Manchester City, and the clutch performances of Brian Brobbey for Sunderland. Chelsea fans may not be too concerned about Enzo Fernandez's absence, but his lack of involvement does mean they will be without their second-highest scorer of non-penalty goals this season. The Blues have struggled to find the back of the net, failing to score in three consecutive games against top-level opposition, and it's up to other players to step up and make a difference. Despite their impressive 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup, Chelsea's misfiring attack remains a major concern for Liam Rosenior. Joao Pedro has been a bright spot, with 14 Premier League goals since his £60m move from Brighton, but the rest of the forwards signed last summer have failed to deliver. Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Estevao have scored just four Premier League goals between them, despite costing a combined £150.5m in transfer fees. Estevao has shown promise, but the others have struggled to make an impact, with finishing proving to be a major issue. Delap has underperformed expected goals by nearly three, while Garnacho has also struggled to find the back of the net. The struggles of Chelsea's young forwards raise questions about the club's recruitment strategy, which has prioritized youthful talent over experienced players. 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 young forwards have managed 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 perform at the highest level. His goal in the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool was his eighth in all competitions, and he has helped to reinvigorate City's attack in the second half of the campaign. Meanwhile, Sunderland host Spurs on Sunday, with Brian Brobbey looking to continue his impressive form. The striker has scored six Premier League goals, with all but one proving crucial, and his ability to produce clutch contributions has been invaluable to his team. With a bumper schedule of games on Super Sunday, including Crystal Palace vs Newcastle, Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa, and Chelsea's meeting with Man City, there's plenty to look forward to in the world of Premier League football.