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Ranking the top five Premier League attacks: Which club is king?

By Tom Bogert

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides first goal from the penalty spot with Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Manchester City at the Riverside Stadium on April 30, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides first goal from the penalty spot with Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Manchester City at the Riverside Stadium on April 30, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Eden Hazard of Chelsea poses with the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Eden Hazard of Chelsea poses with the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

5. Chelsea /// 2016/17 goals for: 85 /// 2016/17 top scorer: Diego Costa (20)

2017/18 likely top scorer: Alvaro Morata /// 2017/18 Key player: Eden Hazard

Last year, Chelsea scored the second most goals in the league with 85 en route to running away with the title. But that’s not what they excel best at: defense is the impetus behind their success. While their attack is far from impotent, the figure of 85 goals feels a bit farcical.

On top of that, they decided to exile their top goal scorer. Costa is surely an enigma and working with him on a daily basis is unimaginable, but he is a Premier League proven goal scorer, full stop.

Chelsea replaced him with Morata, a top player in his own right, but doesn’t have the pure finishing ability that Costa possesses nor the history. In three of the last four years, Costa has plundered in at least 20 league goals. Morata has hit double digits just once, though he’s younger and has had limited opportunities.

Plowing ahead to the players still at the club, they still have Hazard, Pedro, Willian and Michy Batshuayi at the club. Having wingers with goal scoring ability is key to elevating attacks to top heights. Last season, Willian got squeezed out of playing time because of how well Pedro performed. It’s a good problem to have.

Batshuayi struggled for game time behind Costa last season but should find more opportunities as Morata could conceivably play wide if Antonio Conte was inclined to play the pair together.

Whenever Cesc Fabregas gets a game, they’ll have another top playmaker with the ability to put in a great cross off a dead ball. Their defense is able to contribute some goals, too. Gary Cahill is good for a few set piece goals and David Luiz is, well, David Luiz.

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