Football Club, famed for its bold transfer spending, has made significant investments in recruiting top-tier strikers over the last decade, but the club’s quest of reliable and prolific strikers has remained elusive. As Inter Milan’s affair with Romelu Lukaku develops, the Belgian faces an impending departure. He is expected to join a lengthy list of attackers who have failed to make an impression at SW6.
1. Romelu Lukaku (£98 million)
In the summer of 2021, Chelsea’s most recent high-profile striker acquisition was Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku was considered as the missing piece in the Blues’ striking puzzle after developing into one of the world’s most formidable forwards during his time at Inter. The Belgian’s second spell at Stamford Bridge began promisingly but has ended prematurely, with 44 games and 15 goals.
Thomas Tuchel was unable to elicit a response from the forward, and his goals dried up soon, causing him to fall down the pecking order. CFC fans were upset not only with Lukaku’s performances on the football, but also with his behaviour off the pitch, as he expressed his desire to play for Inter Milan in the middle of the 2021/22 season.
Chelsea
2. Timo Werner (£48 million)
Chelsea spent a large quantity of money in the summer of 2020 to sign German attacker Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. Werner comes with great hopes, according to an outstanding scoring record in the Bundesliga. However, his Premier League debut season was marred by inconsistency and a failure to adjust to the physicality and pace of English game.
Despite flashes of brilliance, his goal return fell short of the club’s expectations, prompting fans and analysts to criticise the club’s large investment. His movement in the area was superb, and he was always in goal-scoring situations, but he lacked the finishing touch and squandered numerous chances. In 89 games, he only managed to score 23 goals.
3. Alvaro Morata (£60 million)
Alvaro Morata was signed from Real Madrid in 2017 for a then-club record sum, and he was tasked with replacing Chelsea legend Diego Costa. The Spaniard arrived at the Bridge in blistering form, but he struggled to consistently find the net and fell short of expectations. Morata found the back of the net 24 times in 72 games.
A lack of confidence, combined with the intense scrutiny that comes with a high salary, led to his departure from Stamford Bridge after only two seasons. Despite his dismal form, the Blues were able to sell Morata for nearly break-even (£58 million) thanks to some smart business by Marina Granovskaia.
4. Michy Batshuayi (£33 million)
Following great performances at Marseille and Euro 2016, Batshuayi joined Chelsea in 2016 as a promising young attacker. The Belgian was regarded as a bright young striker with the ability to excel in the Premier League. However, after several remarkable moments and flashes of potential, Batshuayi struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, falling behind more established forwards like Diego Costa and, subsequently, Alvaro Morata.
While he did score some vital goals, including a late winner against West Bromwich Albion in 2017 to secure Chelsea’s Premier League title, his overall effect was erratic, with 25 goals in 77 games.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12 million)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led Arsenal’s offence and prospered in the Premier League, winning the Golden Boot. Even when at Barcelona, the Gabonese attacker netted 11 goals in 17 league games. His arrival to Chelsea was a far cry from what he had previously experienced, with three goals in 21 games for The West Londoners.
The Bridge’s turbulent times did not make it easy for him, since Tuchel was ousted and Graham Potter did not regard him as his main man. A lack of playing time and an inability to contribute off the bench hurt his standing on a squad that struggled on the field.
