Chelsea 2022/23 season player ratings: Forwards scored

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Chelsea’s English striker Noni Madueke reacts during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / 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 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Noni Madueke, No. 31, England: 5.5/10

Many fans expressed their joy at watching the youngster play, especially after he was out of the starting lineup as long as he was. The truth is that Madueke did some things well when he played, and showed enough to suggest that he could be a lot more decisive under Mauricio Pochettino. However, being a forward is more than just dribbling defenders, and Madueke was not decisive enough with his passing often enough.

It may sound harsh, but amongst the Chelsea forwards, the former PSV winger ranked very high for carries into the penalty area and successful dribbles, even ranking high too in shot-creating actions, but created zero clear-cut chances in 12 games he played where he used a lot of the ball. He has something to build on for sure, but with 3.7 carries into the penalty area and just 1.8 chances created per 90, as well as zero big chances, there’s a decision-making issue his next coach needs to address.

Hakim Ziyech, No. 22, Morocco: 7/10

Ziyech was simply Chelsea’s most effective forward this season, too bad he did not play much. Why the Morocco vice-captain did not play, is a question that can only be answered by Thomas Tuchel, Potter, and Frank Lampard. He clearly works hard and is able to carve out shooting and scoring chances for his teammates whenever called upon. Amongst CFC forwards who played up to 180 minutes this season, Ziyech did not only rank high, he topped several key metrics. He ranks first for chances created per 90 (2.1), big chances created per 90 (0.83), and shot-creating actions per 90 (4.36).

The Morocco man also topped the chart for goal-creating actions per 90 (0.41) and passes into the penalty area per 90 (2.6). In addition to these underlying numbers, Ziyech ranked joint first for assists in the league (3) this season. He was inconsequential in the Champions League, starting just one game in Europe. In the cup, he was phenomenal against Manchester City in the EFL Cup, creating two big chances and still ending up on the losing side.

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