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Chelsea’s array of attacking options means that there are 13 attackers currently on the books. 11 of them are currently playing for the club whilst two are away on loan, one is on a six-month deal until the end of the season and one is yet to be announced.
Take out the three strikers from that list and there are still 10 attackers for what is effectively three spots, potentially four depending on the shape. Five of those bodies like to
Of the 12 currently employed by Chelsea and the new addition next season only three started against Fulham whilst another three came off the bench. Against West Ham there will be more competition with returning players from injury and suspension.
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Such is the extent of the injuries to the squad Graham Potter hasn’t been as spoilt for choice in recent weeks as would seem logical. Fitness issues meant that against Liverpool it was midfielders Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher that played supporting attacking roles with Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz less assertive options around them.
The return of Raheem Sterling to the ranks against the Cottagers was a boost whilst David Datro Fofana and Noni Madueke both looked lively. Mykahilo Mudryk was only fit enough for 45 minutes and Joao Felix served the last game of his ban. The other names, for the record, include Christopher Nkunku (joining at the end of the season), Callum Hudson-Odoi and Romelu Lukaku.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available but seemingly not for long, Armando Broja is injured until next season and Omari Hutchinson looked set for a loan, like Ziyech, before it collapsed on deadline day. As a teenager, his minutes appear to have been limited after the January splurge. This shows the apparent depth Potter has but the available options aren’t as wide-ranging as they seem.
The final player to mention is Christian Pulisic. He last played against Manchester City in the league and was substituted off with injury inside 20 minutes. He was ruled out for several months at the time and is yet to be pictured on the training pitch again. That’s the story of his Chelsea career.
Without playing more than 200 minutes in 2023 he has dropped below seven other players in the pecking order, at least. In a fully fit Chelsea side it is tough to see where his gametime comes from. Sterling has been a first-choice selection this season under both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, he remains the club’s top scorer. Nkunku is likely to seriously challenge for any attacking role across the front three or as a No10 behind a forward. For around £50m he isn’t joining to play on the bench.
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Mudryk looks to be one of the most exciting forwards Chelsea have signed in recent years. His pace, direct dribbling and fearlessness as well as a breakthrough Champions League campaign offer parrallels to Pulisic’s own rise. The Ukrainian is almost certain to be ahead of his teammate too.
Ziyech, although wantaway and nearly granted a move, has now played fractionally fewer minutes than the USMNT star but in six fewer appearances in all competitions and was granted a run of games in the side over new year that the American has rarely had. Fofana and Aubameyang are strikers so aren’t really comparable.
Madueke, although he prefers the right, is another that looks to have the edge due to his youth and explosiveness. It was only a brief cameo at Stamford Bridge but his raw promise is a factor that will surely place him among the options even when all the personnel are fit.
Havertz is another player accustomed to being central whilst Felix can operate on the left but has limited minutes so far, his own short showing against Fulham was enough to convince many of his quality though.
In effect, when it comes to starting next season Pulisic is likely to be the fifth-choice attacker off the left-hand side. Had he been fit in January it may well have proved to be his final month as a Blues player.
It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new for Potter at SW6 and although he is just 24, Pulisic isn’t part of the new youth recruitment and appears to be slipping down the pecking order week on week.
When he returns and to what extent he has a role to play for the remainder of the season will be one to track but it is a damning state of affairs that formerly the one to watch, Pulisic has fallen so far behind his teammates.
Football London