Chelsea's Struggling Forwards: £150m Investment Yields Only Four Goals

Get the inside story 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, the spotlight is on Chelsea's underperforming forwards, Semenyo's instant impact at Manchester City, and Sunderland's clutch performances. Chelsea fans may not be too concerned about Enzo Fernandez's absence, but his absence does mean they will be without their second-highest scorer of non-penalty goals this season. The club's misfiring attack is a major concern, with Joao Pedro the only one of their recent signings to have made a significant impact. The £60m signing from Brighton has scored 14 Premier League goals, but the rest of the forwards signed last summer have struggled to make an impact. Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Estevao have managed just four Premier League goals between them, despite costing a combined £150.5m in transfer fees. Finishing has been a major issue, with all four players underperforming their expected goals. The struggles of Chelsea's young forwards raise questions about the club's recruitment strategy, which has prioritized youth over experience. 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 Premier League games than Chelsea's young forwards have managed in 78. Semenyo's goal in the FA Cup semi-final demolition of Liverpool was his eighth in all competitions, and his arrival has helped to reinvigorate City's attack. Elsewhere, Sunderland host Spurs on Sunday, with Brian Brobbey looking to continue his clutch performances. The striker has scored six Premier League goals, with all but one proving crucial. His goals have been worth a total of eight points to Sunderland this season, making him a key player in their survival bid.