Chelsea is lacking a certain element at the moment and one which would arguably frustrate most of the Blues faithful as both their strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are unable to convert their chances into goals. The duo has lacked a goalscoring touch and Chelsea have to address this serious problem if they are to make a statement in the Premier League this season or in the near future.
Although Chelsea became the first team to defeat English champions Manchester City this season, club manager Maurizio Sarri opted to use Belgian winger Eden Hazard as the makeshift main striker over the proper center- forwards Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud.
Ever since making a £60 million move from Real Madrid to Chelsea last summer, Morata has not really managed to adapt to the life in England, not being able to make an impact on the Chelsea faithful. The 26-year-old was literally struggling last season as he was recognized more for his misses than goalscoring. Even this term Morata has failed to convert some big chances and has come under criticism from pundits and fans who want the Spaniard sold in the winter transfer window itself.
But Chelsea also signed French striker Olivier Giroud during the last winter transfer window from Arsenal and the 32-year-old was instrumental for the Blues in winning the FA Cup in the final against Manchester United. Although Giroud’s goal scoring ratio for Chelsea has not been something to rave about, he does manage to involve other teammates into play.
Morata has scored five Premier League goals this term while Giroud has netted just one so far; however, Giroud has notched up four assists while Morata has none. This goes to show that a center-forward doesn’t really need to keep banging in the goals as Giroud played a big part in France’s World Cup victory without netting even once throughout the tournament. He was a proper target man and is doing the same while playing with Chelsea.
Giroud certainly has more impact while playing as the main striker as his hold up and link up play to involve Hazard, Willian, and Pedro is something that Morata is still unable to conjure. Morata hasn’t yet adapted to life in the Premier League and despite his best efforts, he is still struggling to fit into Sarri’s system like he did last season under Antonio Conte.
Sarri has a bit of a dilemma at the moment but it’s quite clear that Giroud does have a more significant role when he starts for Chelsea ahead of Morata but that is not a long-term solution for the Blues.
