Liam Delap
The Manchester City academy product has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with a reputation for physicality and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Delap fits the profile Chelsea’s recruitment team has been chasing: young, hungry, and with room to develop. His game revolves around hold-up play, aerial duels, and making intelligent runs behind defensive lines. In a system that demands both pressing from the front and linking play with the midfield, he could offer a focal point that allows creative players and wide players to operate with more freedom. The question remains whether he can translate his U23 dominance into consistent Premier League output, but the raw ingredients are unmistakable.
João Pedro
The Brazilian forward brings a different dimension to an attack. João Pedro is not a traditional number nine; he drifts wide, drops deep, and thrives in the half-spaces where he can turn and face goal. His technical security means he rarely loses possession in tight areas, and his vision allows him to pick out runners from midfield. At Brighton, he showed he could operate as a second striker or even as a wide forward, and similar flexible roles could suit a squad searching for its best attacking formula. His adaptability is a key asset.
Jamie Gittens
The Borussia Dortmund graduate represents another bet on high-potential wide talent. Gittens is a direct, explosive dribbler who prefers to cut inside from the left flank onto his stronger right foot. His time in the Bundesliga taught him to operate in transition-heavy games, and a team could exploit that by feeding him early balls when opponents commit numbers forward. Defensively, he’s still learning positional discipline, but his ability to beat a man one-on-one is a weapon few in a squad might possess. His development trajectory would be one to watch closely.
Estevão Willian
The youngest of the group, Estevão—still sometimes called Messinho from his youth days—arrived with enormous expectations. Signed from Palmeiras before his 18th birthday, he would need to be integrated gradually, with cameo appearances and starts in cup competitions. His dribbling style is unmistakably Brazilian: low center of gravity, quick feet, and a willingness to take on defenders in any area of the pitch. Estevão can play across the front three but looks most comfortable starting from the right and drifting inward. The challenge for any club is managing his physical development while giving him enough competitive minutes to adapt to English football’s pace and intensity. Early signs suggest he has the temperament to handle the pressure, but patience will be required.
Alejandro Garnacho
The Argentine winger has been linked with a move from Manchester United in a deal that could raise eyebrows across the league. Garnacho brings pace, directness, and a fearless approach to taking on defenders. He’s at his best when isolated against a full-back, using quick changes of direction to create shooting angles or cut-back opportunities. His goal return has been inconsistent, but his ability to stretch defenses vertically is something many teams lack. If he can marry his natural flair with tactical discipline, he could become a cornerstone of an attack for years to come.
Pedro Neto
The Portuguese winger is the most experienced of this forward group, having already shown his quality in the Premier League with Wolves. Neto is a two-footed dribbler who can operate on either flank, making him a valuable tactical piece. His crossing accuracy and ability to deliver from wide areas give a team a different threat compared to more central-oriented forwards. Neto could also take on set-piece responsibilities, adding another layer to his contribution. The concern has always been his injury history, but when fit, he offers reliability and composure that balances youthful exuberance around him. He’s the kind of player who makes those around him better simply by holding his position and making the right decisions.
What to Watch For
These six forwards represent a mix of proven talent and high-ceiling potential, but any team’s attacking output will depend on how a manager blends their styles. The key questions are about minutes distribution, tactical fit, and whether a squad can develop a consistent goalscoring pattern. Pay attention to which players might start against deeper defenses versus those used in transition-heavy games—it would tell you a lot about the manager’s thinking. Also, watch how Estevão and Gittens are integrated; their development paths could influence transfer plans for future windows.
For more on how these forwards connect with the midfield, check our profile on Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo. For a deeper statistical breakdown of their performances, visit the match statistics hub. And for broader coverage of the squad, head to the match coverage reports section.