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Chelsea keep, sell, buy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign: Forwards

By Akshat Mehrish

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 14: Marcel Halstenberg of RB Leipzig battles for possession with Andre Silva of Eintracht Frankfurt during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt at Red Bull Arena on March 14, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 14: Marcel Halstenberg of RB Leipzig battles for possession with Andre Silva of Eintracht Frankfurt during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt at Red Bull Arena on March 14, 2021 in Leipzig, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images) /

3. Buy

Similar to midfielders, the Blues’ intention of bringing in attacking reinforcements will largely depend on who they sell first. Haaland is the key target for the club, as per several reports. However, Chelsea may face heavy competition in securing the services of the Norwegian attacker. The Borussia Dortmund star already has a small queue of clubs lining up to sign him and whoever wins the race will have to pay upwards of £100 million, especially since his release clause doesn’t kick in for another year.

A cheaper alternative—albeit with similar output—could be Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva. The Portugal international put a miserable Milanese stint behind him and is firing Frankfurt to glory this season. He is joint-second in the Bundesliga scoring charts, along with Haaland, and his overall numbers put him in the elite bracket over the last year (per FBref).

The Athletic’s Tom Worville pointed out his key strengths in a scouting report recently:

"His performances have been backed up by some solid underlying numbers, too. Used to linking play, retaining the ball well and consistently getting into good scoring positions."

Silva is adept at playing as a lone striker, but can also play in tandem with another number high up the pitch. His combination play with Daichi Kamada and Filip Kostic has been key towards Frankfurt’s drive for a UEFA Champions League spot this season.

In addition to a No. 9, Chelsea may have to look for another winger in the case of Pulisic or Ziyech’s departure. Wolves’ Pedro Neto ticks a lot of boxes in that regard.

Neto has been one of the best U21 wingers in Europe this season and is producing excellent numbers all around. In Raul Jimenez’s absence, he has become Wolves’ key player and has scored five times this season and provided four assists.

While his output may not stand out, it is his overall contribution to the attack that does. He is fast, direct, an excellent dribbler and tactically versatile. He has produced the third most crosses in the league this season and completes the most crosses in the 18-yard box per 90. Furthermore, the youngster is an excellent finisher with his left-foot and provided evidence of the same in Wolves’ win over Chelsea earlier in the season. Neto will not come cheap, though. Nevertheless, if Chelsea has funds, he is the kind of player worth breaking the bank for.

Next. Chelsea keep, sell, buy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign: Midfielders. dark

What would you do with each of Chelsea’s forwards? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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