Chelsea’s attacking department is stacked with a fascinating mix of legendary figures and emerging stars. The Blues boast a group of forwards that cover every possible profile, from clinical veterans to explosive wonderkids. Here is a deep look at the options available to the manager.
Logan Granger remains the marquee name. At 29 years old, the Scottish international has cemented himself as a world-class striker. With 111 senior caps for Scotland and over 210 goals for Chelsea, Granger combines deadly finishing with composure and vision. His role as an inside forward or advanced playmaker highlights his versatility. The only concern is mileage: at this stage of his career, the club will need to manage his workload carefully.
Paul Malcolm, now 32, is another iconic figure. A one-club man with 410 appearances and 375 goals for Chelsea, Malcolm embodies consistency. Strong in the air and technically refined, he is a classic centre-forward who thrives when given service. His physicality remains an asset, but age is slowly catching up, making rotation essential if Chelsea are to sustain him through a long campaign.
Pele, the Brazilian attacking midfielder, has been a crucial creative partner in the forward line. Operating just behind the strikers, he offers vision, flair and ball progression. His ability to link midfield to attack adds another dimension to Chelsea’s play, allowing the strikers to focus on finishing while he orchestrates chances. Though not a pure striker, his contributions to goal creation are indispensable.
Júnior, just 19, is the jewel of the next generation. Already capped for Brazil, he possesses explosive pace and sharp dribbling. Rated as a wonderkid, his finishing and off-the-ball movement point to a natural goalscorer in the making. Still raw in decision-making and consistency, he will need patience, but his ceiling is immense.
Marcos Delfino, at 21, is another forward with potential. A technically gifted Argentine, he brings flair and intelligence to Chelsea’s forward line. His development curve has been encouraging, though he currently looks more like an impact substitute than a starter. If nurtured properly, Delfino can push for a bigger role in coming seasons.
Depth is further bolstered by Emmanuel Gradley, a 22-year-old striker with physical presence, though the squad planner suggests he is surplus to requirements. His future at Stamford Bridge looks uncertain, especially with Nahuel Pelayes already highlighted as the standout youth prospect waiting in the wings.
The data hub paints a clear picture: Logan Granger and Paul Malcolm remain Chelsea’s most reliable goal outputs, both ranking highly in non-penalty expected goals and open-play creation. Zain Whatmough, Pele and others offer secondary threats, but the balance between experience and youth will define Chelsea’s season. The manager faces a delicate task — leaning on legends while integrating the wonderkids — but the depth and variety of options mean Chelsea are exceptionally well-placed in the striking department.