Chelsea have scored 47 goals in 24 appearances this season in the Premier League, making them the fifth-highest scorers.
Of these 47 goals, only 11 have been scored by Chelsea’s wingers, seven of those 11 coming from Noni Madueke on the right side, and two coming from Pedro Neto whilst also playing on the right.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have scored 23 between them, with central zones being far more popular for Chelsea’s goal-scoring this season, as nearly 50% of their goals have come from that central duo.
This shows Chelsea are struggling for goals from the left-hand side. Jadon Sancho has only scored two goals in the Premier League, and the Blues clearly looked to address this in the market, reportedly showing interest in Alejandro Garnacho.
Why Chelsea eyed Garnacho
Garnacho has made 39 appearances for Manchester United so far this season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in all competitions.
Whilst only three of those eight goals have come in the Premier League, Garnacho is clearly the profile Chelsea were after, averaging 3.78 shots per 90, generating 0.40 xG and receiving 13.5 progressive passes per 90, showing his ability as an outlet.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
By adding a shoot-first profile on the left alongside Sancho (who tends to be a pass-first player), it could bring more goals to the side from that left-hand side, but Chelsea may have even sold the perfect profile for this already back in 2023.
The Chelsea winger they sold too soon
Christian Pulisic made 98 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, scoring 20 goals in his time at the club in the league.
Now, the American could have been the perfect profile for Enzo Maresca’s system, slotting in on that left-hand side, having the ability to hold the width, but also cut inside, get shots off and score goals.
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Pulisic vs Garnacho vs Sancho comparison |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Stats (* = per 90 mins) |
Pulisic |
Garnacho |
Sancho |
|
Goals |
12 |
8 |
2 |
|
Assists |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
xG * |
0.37 |
0.40 |
0.12 |
|
xAG * |
0.23 |
0.19 |
0.21 |
|
Progressive Carries * |
4.25 |
5.81 |
5.32 |
|
Progressive Passes * |
4.80 |
1.97 |
4.52 |
|
Shots Total * |
2.09 |
3.78 |
1.37 |
|
Key Passes * |
2.50 |
1.46 |
1.77 |
|
Shot-Creating Actions * |
4.50 |
3.33 |
3.63 |
|
Successful Take-Ons * |
1.15 |
1.46 |
2.82 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
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When comparing Pulisic so far this season, to the underlying numbers of Sancho and Garnacho, you can see the extra goal threat the American brings, scoring 0.53 goals per 90 (overachieving his xG), taking more shots per 90 than Sancho and still creating for others at a high level, with 2.50 key passes per 90 and 4.50 shot-creating actions per 90.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
Ex-Chelsea teammate, now AC Milan teammate, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, labelled Pulisic a “huge talent” back in 2023 before he signed for the Italian giants and he’s certainly living up to that billing in 2025, with Loftus-Cheek further referring to his form in the lockdown period at Chelsea as “incredible”.
Pulisic is now playing for AC Milan, having a brilliant season, making 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals, providing seven assists and totalling 2,033 minutes played, showing exactly why Chelsea could have done with the 26-year-old winger this season.
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