90min

Chelsea left with only one first-team striker after Timo Werner departure

By Jamie Spencer

Chelsea have let Timo Werner go after already loaning Romelu Lukaku back to Inter
Chelsea have let Timo Werner go after already loaning Romelu Lukaku back to Inter / Trevor Ruszkowski/ISI Photos/GettyImages
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Chelsea have just one remaining striker in the first-team squad after selling Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig and sending Romelu Lukaku out on loan earlier in the summer.

The Blues have a number of wide forwards and attacking midfielders, but now severely lack options in a ‘number nine’ role. Armando Broja, who will turn 21 next month and has just one season of Premier League experience to his name, is the only centre forward at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal.

Winger Raheem Sterling started up front in a ‘false nine’ role in the weekend’s opening day victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Kai Havertz has previously been known to lead the line but started wide on Saturday evening and is not a natural striker.

Broja came off the bench against the Toffees in the closing stages. The Albania international scored six Premier League goals while on loan at Southampton last season, as well as 10 in the Eredivisie on loan at Vitesse Arnhem during the 2020/21 campaign.

Mason Mount was Chelsea’s leading Premier League goalscorer last season with 11. Lukaku, who managed to alienate the fan base after an explosive December interview in which he expressed longing for former club Inter, got eight in the league and Werner bagged just four.

Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Sean Walsh bring you Talking Transfers, discussing Man Utd's transfer market implosion in targeting deals for Adrien Rabiot & Marko Arnautovic, Man City's stance on selling Bernardo Silva to Barcelona, Wilfried Zaha's future and more. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.

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Chelsea have largely prioritised defensive recruitment this summer, missing out on Jules Kounde but spending big on Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly, as well as also targeting Wesley Fofana.

Having signed Sterling in July, should the Blues want another striker they only have three weeks before the summer transfer window closes for Premier League clubs on 1 September. 90min understands that Chelsea are on the lookout and also have interest in winger Wilfried Zaha.

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