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Chelsea verdict: Wasteful Blues still plagued by lack of goalscorer as another dominant performance ends without win


CHELSEA suffered yet more deja vu as they dominated Manchester United but paid the price for lacking a goalscorer.

Kai Havertz, signed for over £70million from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, missed two golden chances in the first half at Old Trafford.

Kai Havertz missed two golden chances as Chelsea drew with Man UtdCredit: Getty
Mason Mount was left head in hands at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters

The German is not an out and out striker but has led the line well at times for the Blues this season.

But his squandered chances in Manchester prove Chelsea are still being haunted by a lack of clinical finishing.

Last year’s Champions League winners might have thought they had solved that problem after signing Romelu Lukaku in the summer.

But the club-record £97.5million signing is edging towards a second flop spell at Stamford Bridge.

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Lukaku booed on Man Utd return after coming on for Chelsea in Prem stalemate

In truth, not since Didier Drogba first left Chelsea in 2012 have they had a reliable forward in front of goal.

Diego Costa was the closest thing to it until Antonio Conte’s questionable decision to drop the Spanish international in 2017.

Chelsea have seen history repeat itself in the seasons since, bossing matches without the finishing touch.

Thursday night’s showing at United was much of the same, with several chances being created without conversion.

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Perhaps losing out on Erling Haaland last summer will go on to prove a damaging blow, especially if he signs for Premier League rivals Man City.

Havertz and Timo Werner have formed a formidable partnership in recent matches.

But even so, the pair them have just 11 league goals between them.

If Chelsea had City or Liverpool’s clinical finishing, you have to imagine they would still be fighting for the title.

Bar an FA Cup final against Liverpool in May and top three finish, at this point the Blues have little else to play for.

Meaning they could already be looking to re-group next season under a new owner.

Lukaku does deserve another season to prove his worth but Chelsea face suffering similar fate if he continues to misfire.

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That will mean more money spent going back into the market to again look for a reliable No9.

Without one, it is hard to see Chelsea’s frustrations in the league changing any time soon, despite their consistent cup form.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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