Chelsea 2021/22 player ratings (part three): Forwards

Romelu Lukaku (Striker): 3/10

Romelu Lukaku started the season so well that Chelsea fans were sure the Blues would finally challenge for the league after five long years. The interview blindsided everyone, and it would be needless to go into all the off-pitch drama surrounding the Belgian in his rating. Lukaku was not a successful signing. However, he did not flop. His performance is on par with the service he got.

Timo Werner underperformed his expected goals (xG) in his first season by 7.43. He scored just six goals from an xG of 13.43, which means he scored about seven or eight less goals than he was expected to during his debut campaign. Lukaku, by comparison, over-performed his xG of 7.02 by 0.98, scoring eight goals. The fact that Lukaku only gathered 7.02 xG shows that all of the chances that were created for him were only enough to provide him seven goals. That is damning on the squad, and it is an issue that will need to be addressed, regardless of who is leading the line.

Lukaku ranked third amongst Chelsea forwards for big chances created, while ranking first for goals in all competitions and goals per 90 in the Premier League. A lot of the criticism of Lukaku was overblown, especially the “seven touches in a game” comments—center forwards always have the fewest touches. It’s a poor game for a striker to have just seven touches, it’s not outrageous though. He gets a three, not because of his actual performance, but because of his silly interview that got the ball rolling for his drop in form and selection. That interview was ill-advised and a player of his level and experience should know better than to grant such a request and say those things. Lukaku is supposed to be a leader in the dressing room and that was no way to lead. That interview also severely affected how the Blues’ faithful, players and manager saw him. It had arguably an irreversible effect of his form and fortunes, and it was all his own doing.

Kai Havertz (Striker): 7/10

Kai Havertz was everything Werner was supposed to be and none of the things Lukaku is accused of not being. Chelsea fans started this narrative that the Blues are more fluid with him in the side. Unfortunately, nothing that happened on the pitch ever proved that to be true. That being said, Havertz was OK last season—there was a lot of room for improvement, too much room in fact. Havertz ranked second amongst Chelsea attackers for goals and assists in the Premier League. He was good in all of the cups except the Champions League, even though he ranked second for goals in the Champions League amongst the Blues’ forwards.