All of a sudden, Chelsea have built, and are still building, one of the most potent attacks in the Premier League.
Is some of this an over-the-top reaction from Sunday’s six goals against Wolves? You could argue so, but the truth is Chelsea’s attacking players have been threatening to do that for quite some time now; Noni Madueke in particular.
He’s been that level of threat ever since signing for Chelsea but up until Sunday, he had not been able to show anything near that level of deadly end product in front of goal. He was, quite simply put, unplayable, as he bagged the first hat-trick of his Chelsea career.
We also saw, though, the likes of Joao Felix and Pedro Neto shine in Wolverhampton. The Portuguese duo, since nicknamed ‘Netflix’, both came on in the second-half at Molineux and linked up for Chelsea’s sixth and final goal of what was a completely bizarre match in the West Midlands.
And then there was the superb, the sensational, the inevitable Cole Palmer. The 2023/24 PFA Young Player of the Year got on the score sheet for the first time this term in the first-half with an audacious lobbed effort over Jose Sa. Palmer then turned provider for all three of Madueke’s goals in the second-half.
Palmer was used in a more central role against Wolves after a quiet performance on the right-hand side against his former team Manchester City just seven days prior. The England international got himself into plenty more dangerous positions against Wolves and was able to free roam a bit more than the weekend before.
The provider for Palmer’s goal was Nicolas Jackson, who also shone on what was a fantastic afternoon for Chelsea’s attacking line in the Midlands, has been used as the No.9 in both of the Blues’ opening matches. While Chelsea have high hopes for Jackson and were pleased with the striker’s development last season, the club are still on the lookout for a new centre-forward before the transfer deadline.
football.london understands Ivan Toney is one of numerous options being considered by the Blues this week. A deal is being explored but only should it suit the club’s wage structure and a deal can be struck with Brentford for a reasonable price.
Meanwhile, Chelsea remain interested in Victor Osimhen from Napoli but for any deal to happen, the Nigerian would have to significantly lower his wage demands. Chelsea would prefer a loan move for the 25-year-old centre-forward but Osimhen would rather a permanent deal.
Christopher Nkunku, too, is an option for Enzo Maresca. The Frenchman, who was one of the standout performers for the Blues in pre-season, started against Man City but was dropped to the bench for the win at Wolves. Nkunku can be used anywhere across the front-line and does not really have a set position.
A man we cannot forget about is Mykhailo Mudryk. Maresca, though, needs to see more from the Ukrainian: “Because I was not happy [the reason why he took Mudryk off at half-time at Molineux]. I think in some moments we can manage some situations better.
“He was working very hard off the ball and that was very good. But in terms of on the ball, I expect a bit more quality from Misha. For me, he had some good moments the other day and some good moments today and the reason why was just because we needed to change and give Pedro [Neto] some minutes.”
Mudryk has some convincing to do if he is to get into Maresca’s good books. Especially when you consider the likes of Neto, Nkunku and Felix can all play on the left wing.
Dream Chelsea attack: Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Osimhen/Toney
