Which Premier League heavyweight has the strongest attack?
3) Chelsea with a 1.70 xG per 90 mins
There’s a clear gulf in expected goals between the top 2 and the rest of the Premier League clubs. Next up are the current Champions of the world, Chelsea. Surprisingly though, despite their Champions League win, the Chelsea attack remains one very much in transition that still hasn’t found its optimal setup.
Romelu Lukaku, signed for a huge sum this summer, was hoped to be the solution to the striker problem that’s plagued the club so often for a long time now. Sadly, the Belgian has made a slow start to life in West London and some untimely media comments haven’t helped his case. He’s still their best center-forward option on paper.
Kai Havertz has written his name in Chelsea history with winning goals in the Champions League as well as Club World Cup finals. The Chelsea attack in general were looking more fluid last year playing off Havertz as the false-9 in their usual 3-4-3 setup. But his starts this season have been more often on the right of the front 3, playing alongside Lukaku.
Mason Mount, Chelsea’s most consistent attacking player is almost always deployed on the flank in the 3-4-3 setup and his versatility is key to allowing tactical flexibility to their starting system. Mount is able to drop deeper forming almost a 3-4-1-2 or 3-5-2 when needed and also is able to play as #8 in central midfield in a 4-3-3 — which Chelsea have resorted to using of late.
Hakim Ziyech is brilliant but mercurial with a wand of a left foot and always plays as an inverted right winger in either setup.
Timo Werner has endured a difficult time since his move to the London club and has been a substitute for more games than he’s started this season. His pace and off-the-ball work mean he’s best suited to play as an inside left-winger in the 3-4-3 setup and has sometimes been played off Lukaku in a 3-5-2.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has had a good Premier League run and brings creativity with elite ball-carrying ability to the table. He’s started a fairly high percentage of games this season and is either on the left flank or occasionally covering at wing-back.
Christian Pulisic has been troubled with injuries for large parts of the season and can play both wings as well as wing-back if needed. For Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system which worked so well for him, the dynamism of the wing-backs was key.
Unfortunate injuries to both, Ben Chilwell (out for the season) and Reece James (2 months out), simultaneously coupled with the lack of similarly adept cover in those positions, means the manager has had to try a host of different front-three combinations.
He has recently moved to a 4-3-3 to provide better balance. While Chelsea have impressive numbers in their offensive unit, they’ve found it hard to find their best system.