Four solutions for Chelsea at the striker position in a 3-4-3

The transfer window has been open for a little over a month now. The Euros and Copa America have taken a majority of the best players in world football and demanded their attention for a few weeks, so the transfer window has been relatively quiet. This is especially true in the case of Chelsea, who has yet to sign one player. The Blues’ transfer activity has been limited to extensions, sales and rumors—the latter of which being dominated by talk of an incoming striker.

Olivier Giroud is now on his way to AC Milan, as well. Although the Frenchman had a minimal role in Thomas Tuchel’s side, his departure is still a huge loss for Chelsea. The Blues are now left with just one natural No. 9 in Tammy Abraham, who has also been linked to a summer exit. This means Marina Granovskaia and Co. will likely turn to the transfer market for alternatives. Nevertheless, that isn’t the team’s only option. Tuchel can solve his sticky striker situation multiple different ways. Before diving into these options, it’s important to note that the solutions being offered in this piece are based on the assumption Tuchel sticks with a 3-4-3. Therefore, there will be no scenarios in which Kai Havertz and Timo Werner play off one another as a striking pair, although that would be possible in a formation such as a 4-4-2. This article explores options for a lone, out-an-out striker.

Here are the four ways Chelsea can fill its striker void this summer:

1. The loan army

The first option Tuchel has is to turn to the loan army to fill this void in the side. Surprisingly enough, the Blues have three options on this front, although all of them are more unlikely to happen than the alternatives presented later on. Chelsea sent three strikers out on loan last season who can be considered ready to play in the first team somewhere in Europe (as opposed to being an academy-level player). These individuals are Michy Batshuayi, Armando Broja and Ike Ugbo.

Broja looks the most likely of the trio to have an impact on the Blues’ senior side. The Albanian international is still just 19, but he impressed during his loan stint last season. The young Chelsea striker reached double-digit goals for Vitesse, scoring 11 in 34 games during his maiden professional campaign. The Blues were said to be so impressed with his performances that he’s getting a contract extension that runs through 2026 and he’ll train with the first team during preseason. Nevertheless, it’s a tall order to ask Broja to lead the line next season for the European Champions. He’s one to watch for in the future, it’s unlikely he stays and plays for Tuchel next season though.

The next two individuals are the embodiment of long shots to play for Chelsea again, especially next season. Batshuayi spent the last season away at Crystal Palace once again, this loan far less impactful than his last. He’s always struggled to really find his groove in England, with his game translating better to the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. Batshuayi is a cult hero for his fun-loving personality off the pitch and his title-clinching goal at West Brom a few seasons ago, but it’s difficult to see him ever donning the Blues’ badge ever again.

Lastly, there is Ugbo, who has been heavily linked to a move away from Chelsea in recent months. This would have seemed impossible given how heavily Watford was pursuing the English forward a few weeks ago. However, that ship has now sailed. Ugbo, 22, is coming off the best season of his young career to date. He took the Jupiler Pro League by storm with Cercle Brugge, finding the back of the net 16 times in 32 appearances. Ugbo represents another young option Tuchel could keep around, only if another team doesn’t move for him first.