Joao Pedro scores with a header. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Stats show Chelsea need a dominant aerial centre back – there’s one with the potential to do it

Originally posted on Chelsea News | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 6:00 AM ET

Chelsea are struggling in the new world of the Premier League.

It’s all turned into the NFL without anyone realising. It’s defending and scoring from set pieces which is the meta now, and the Blues are scrambling to keep up. Their numbers from the dead ball have improved this year, and they’ve got a well regarded specialist coach. But they don’t have the army of aerial beasts that teams like Arsenal do.

Chelsea need more power in the air through the team

They conceded a long throw to Sunderland on Saturday, then lost the game after showing some hesitant defending that you wouldn’t get from any of the players available to Mikel Arteta.

A look at the top 10 players in the league by percentage of aerial duels won shows the Blues have just one – young defender Josh Acheampong, who actually managed to get his head on the throw, but didn’t react quick enough after clearing the ball.

He’s still clearly a good option there though. Tosin wins 3.2 aerial duels per game, the 15th in the league. We can’t have our best centre back outside the top 10. With time, Acheampong could break that list.

And perhaps he can be a player ready for this brave new world in the Premier League. Certainly our transfer target this summer should include more players who can really compete aerially. We’ve got some mean set pieces takers and a good coach – now let’s get some scary presences attacking the posts.