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

Get the inside story on the Premier League with The Radar, a Sky Sports column that delves into the stories that matter, using data and expert opinion. This week's topics include: Chelsea's underperforming forwards, Antoine Semenyo's instant impact at Manchester City, and Brian Brobbey's clutch performances for Sunderland. Chelsea fans may not miss Enzo Fernandez for their upcoming match against Manchester City, given his recent controversy. However, his absence means they will be without their second-highest scorer of non-penalty goals this season. The team's misfiring attack is a significant concern for Liam Rosenior, with their recent failure to score in three consecutive games against top-level opposition. Joao Pedro has been a bright spot, with 14 Premier League goals since his £60m arrival from Brighton. However, the rest of the forwards signed last summer have struggled, with Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Estevao scoring only four Premier League goals between them, despite a combined transfer fee of £150.5m. Estevao, at just 18, has shown promise, but the others have underperformed, with finishing being a significant issue. Delap has scored nearly three goals fewer than expected, based on the quality of his chances, while Garnacho has also struggled. Their difficulties raise questions about Chelsea's recruitment strategy, which has focused on youthful talent. In contrast, Manchester City's signing of Antoine Semenyo has proven to be a shrewd move, 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 against Liverpool was his eighth in all competitions, and his arrival has helped to reinvigorate City's attack. 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 being crucial, including a 90th-minute winner against Newcastle. His goals have been worth eight points to Sunderland this season, highlighting his importance to the team.