Chelsea's lack of a reliable center-forward is becoming a major concern as injuries pile up. Despite heavy spending since the ownership change, the Blues' attacking options have been underwhelming. Enzo Maresca is struggling to find a solution with key strikers sidelined
Before Friday's Premier League game against Brighton, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said they "need to find something different" without a genuine centre-forward currently available.Despite spending more than £1.5bn since the Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly takeover went through less than three years ago, a recent injury crisis has left Chelsea 's squad looking remarkably threadbare - none more so than up front.
The only other central strikers signed were David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington and Marc Guiu, all young players at a combined cost of just £34m. None have looked ready for the Premier League, never mind the level required to meet the expectations at Chelsea. The 23-year-old came off injured against West Ham two weeks ago and, although manager Maresca was initially hopeful the Senegal striker had avoided a major setback, scans have since revealed the problem to be much worse.
That all meant Chelsea's last three fit senior forwards were all on the pitch after Madueke's substitution - Palmer, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho - with academy winger Tyrique George the only attacking option able to come on in the second half.Maresca already hinted at changing his tactics for the game at Brighton because of Nkunku's struggles playing up front.
Speaking after the match, Maresca told BBC Sport: "It is difficult when you don't have a proper number nine. In the last third we struggled doing things that until a week or two ago we were doing well.
CHELSEA PREMIER LEAGUE INJURIES STRIKERS TACTICS
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