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Chelsea Face a Striker Dilemma Amid Injury Woes
Chelsea are facing a major attacking crisis with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu sidelined due to hamstring injuries. With both centre-forwards ruled out until after the March international break, Enzo Maresca must find a solution to keep Chelsea on track for a Champions League spot and Conference League glory.
Despite recent struggles, Chelsea remain in contention for a top-four finish. However, their lack of a natural striker could derail their season if the right tactical adjustments are not made. Here’s how the Blues can navigate their forward crisis:
1. Trust Christopher Nkunku in the No.9 Role
Chelsea’s most natural striking option is Christopher Nkunku, who, despite injury setbacks, has the ability to thrive in a central role. The £52m signing has been impressive in cup competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists this season. However, he has only started three Premier League games under Maresca.
Nkunku is a different profile to Jackson—he lacks the same speed and directness but offers intelligent movement, technical quality, and a sharp finishing touch. To get the best out of him, Chelsea must adjust their attacking approach, allowing him to drop deep and link up with the midfield while creating space for wingers to exploit.
2. Deploy Cole Palmer as a False Nine
If Nkunku struggles to adapt to the lone striker role, Maresca could turn to Cole Palmer as a false nine. Palmer’s intelligence, creativity, and ability to find space make him a strong candidate for this role.
The 22-year-old has already thrived in various attacking positions this season, excelling as a right-winger and an advanced playmaker. His goal-scoring ability and vision could allow him to temporarily fill the void up front while maintaining Chelsea’s fluid attacking style.
3. Promote Academy Talents
Chelsea have invested heavily in young talents, and this crisis could open the door for Deivid Washington or Shim Mheuka to step up.
- Deivid Washington, currently representing Brazil in the U-20 South American Championship, has scored twice in Venezuela and will return to Chelsea in mid-February.
- Shim Mheuka, a prolific scorer at the U-18 level, has already made Chelsea’s Conference League squad and could get some first-team minutes.
While neither is an ideal long-term solution, they could provide backup options to ease the burden on the senior squad.
4. Convert Wingers into Strikers
With limited striking options, Maresca could experiment with wingers in a central role.
- Noni Madueke previously played as a striker for PSV Eindhoven, scoring four goals in 12 matches in that position.
- Pedro Neto has also occasionally been deployed centrally at Wolves, though with limited success.
- Jadon Sancho played as a forward during his time at Borussia Dortmund and even scored as a striker against Chelsea while at Manchester United in 2021.
A fluid front three featuring Palmer, Sancho, and Neto/Madueke could give Chelsea an unpredictable attacking dynamic.
Final Thoughts: Will Chelsea Adapt?
With Jackson and Guiu out, Chelsea must think outside the box to maintain their attacking threat. Whether it’s Nkunku leading the line, Palmer playing as a false nine, academy stars stepping up, or wingers being repurposed, Maresca has several tactical options at his disposal.
Which solution do you think is the best for Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments!
