Ranking Every Chelsea Striker Since 2003
Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003, the club has spent hundreds of millions trying to find a consistent, world-class striker. While a few have achieved legendary status, the majority have failed to live up to expectations — some dramatically so. From big-money flops to forgotten loanees, Chelsea’s striker signings have often been more miss than hit, fueling talk of a long-standing “striker curse” at Stamford Bridge.
Here’s a look at every striker Chelsea have signed since 2003 – and whether they were a hit, a miss, or if the jury is still out.
Adrian Mutu – Miss
Signed in 2003 for £15.8M, Adrian Mutu started brightly but quickly fell from grace. A failed drug test ended his Chelsea career after just 27 appearances and 6 goals, making him one of the most controversial and disappointing signings in club history.
Hernan Crespo – Miss
Hernan Crespo arrived the same year with a big reputation from Serie A and a £16.8M price tag. Despite scoring 20 goals in 49 matches, he never truly settled in England and struggled with consistency, making his spell feel unfulfilled.
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Didier Drogba – Hit
Signed for £24M in 2004, Didier Drogba became a Chelsea legend and the club’s ultimate big-game striker. With 104 goals in 254 games and countless trophies, including the decisive goal in the 2012 Champions League final, he remains one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
Andriy Shevchenko – Miss
Chelsea paid £30M for Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko in 2006, but he never adapted to English football. He scored just 9 goals in 48 appearances and struggled with form and fitness throughout his stay, marking him as a high-profile failure.
Nicolas Anelka – Hit
Nicolas Anelka joined in 2008 for £15M and proved to be a clever and productive signing. He scored 38 goals in 125 matches and won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008–09, delivering great value and consistency in attack.
Daniel Sturridge – Hit
Brought in for just £3.5M in 2009, Daniel Sturridge showed real promise and scored 24 goals in 65 games. Though he eventually moved to Liverpool, his time at Chelsea offered strong returns for such a modest fee.
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Fernando Torres – Miss
Chelsea broke the British transfer record in 2011 by signing Fernando Torres for £50M, but he never truly delivered. While he scored a few iconic goals, including one against Barcelona, he only netted 20 league goals in 110 appearances and struggled with confidence.
Romelu Lukaku (2011) – Miss
The first time Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea, he arrived for £20M with big expectations. Unfortunately, he was never given a real chance, didn’t score in 10 games, and was soon loaned out, making his initial stint a wasted investment.
Demba Ba – Miss
Signed from Newcastle for £7M in 2013, Demba Ba offered a few memorable moments, including his goal against PSG. However, with just 7 goals in 33 games and no lasting impact, he’s remembered as another stopgap striker who didn’t quite work out.
Diego Costa – Hit
Diego Costa arrived in 2014 for £32M and instantly became a fan favorite with his aggressive style and goal-scoring prowess. He bagged 52 goals in 89 games and helped the club to two Premier League titles, cementing his status as a top signing.
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Loic Remy – Miss
Loic Remy joined the same year for £8.5M but mainly played a supporting role. With 8 goals in 32 games and few standout performances, he faded into the background as yet another forgettable addition.
Radamel Falcao – Miss
Chelsea took a chance on Radamel Falcao in 2015 despite his struggles at Manchester United. Injuries and poor form continued, and he scored just once in 10 appearances, making his loan spell a complete failure.
Alexandre Pato – Miss
Signed on loan in 2016, Alexandre Pato played just two matches and scored a penalty. With minimal playing time and no real influence, his time at Chelsea was brief and inconsequential.
Michy Batshuayi – Miss
Chelsea paid £33M for Michy Batshuayi in 2016, hoping for a long-term solution up front. Although he scored some crucial goals, including a title-clinching one, he never nailed down a starting spot and ended up going on multiple loans.
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Alvaro Morata – Miss
Alvaro Morata was brought in for £58M in 2017 but failed to justify the fee. Despite 16 goals in 47 games, his confidence quickly dipped, and he became known for missed chances and inconsistency.
Olivier Giroud – Hit
Olivier Giroud arrived from Arsenal in 2018 for £18M and brought experience, professionalism, and vital goals. He was instrumental in the club’s Europa League triumph and scored 17 goals in 75 appearances, proving himself a dependable squad player.
Gonzalo Higuain – Miss
Higuain joined on loan in 2019 as a short-term solution but looked past his best. He managed just 5 goals in 14 games and failed to adapt to the speed and physicality of the Premier League.
Timo Werner – Miss
Chelsea signed Timo Werner in 2020 for £48M, expecting a prolific scorer. While his work rate was admirable, he scored only 10 league goals in 56 appearances and became infamous for his missed chances.
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Romelu Lukaku (2021) – Miss
In 2021, Chelsea re-signed Lukaku for a club-record £97.5M after his success at Inter. Despite a fast start, tensions with the club and a poor return of 8 goals in 26 league games made his second spell even worse than the first.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Miss
Aubameyang was brought in for £12M in 2022, mainly due to Thomas Tuchel. After Tuchel’s sacking, he was barely used, scoring just once in 15 games, and looked completely disconnected from the team’s plans.
Nicolas Jackson – Jury Out
Signed in 2023 for £30M, Nicolas Jackson showed promise and athleticism in his first season. With 24 goals in 65 appearances across all competitions, he had moments of brilliance, but inconsistency still clouds his long-term outlook.
Deivid Washington – Jury Out
Chelsea invested £18.7M in Brazilian teenager Deivid Washington in 2023. He has only featured in 2 matches and remains a long-term prospect with potential, but it’s far too early to evaluate his impact.
Marc Guiu – Jury Out
Marc Guiu was signed from Barcelona in 2024 for £5M as part of Chelsea’s youth strategy. The young striker has only made 3 appearances so far and is clearly one for the future, making any verdict premature.
