Chelsea's recent 3-0 defeat to Brighton, where they failed to register a single shot on target, highlights a glaring problem: despite a £1.5 billion spending spree under the new ownership, the club is severely lacking in recognized, fit strikers. 

Manager Enzo Maresca has acknowledged the need for alternative tactical approaches due to this deficiency.

While Chelsea have invested heavily in attacking players, a closer look reveals a significant imbalance. Of the £445 million spent on forwards, the majority has gone towards wingers and attacking midfielders like Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Cole Palmer. 

While Palmer has been a consistent performer, the others have largely failed to deliver, and Felix is now on loan at AC Milan. Central striker acquisitions have been limited to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington, and Marc Guiu. Aubameyang, despite a successful spell at Marseille after leaving Chelsea, was quickly sidelined, while the other three are young and inexperienced.

Chelsea's current striker crisis has been exacerbated by a series of injuries. 

Nicolas Jackson is out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, while fellow striker Guiu is also sidelined with a groin problem. Mudryk is suspended, and Noni Madueke recently left a game with a hamstring injury, leaving Chelsea with very few attacking options. 

In their recent game against Brighton, their only available senior forwards were Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Jadon Sancho, with an academy player as the sole substitute option. 

This situation underscores the club's failure to adequately address the striker position despite their massive expenditure.