Comparing Raphinha’s 2021-22 stats to Chelsea’s current forwards

Chelsea have their sights set on Leeds United's Brazilian star Raphinha – but would he be an upgrade on their current attacking options?

The club are yet to announce the first signing of the Todd Boehly era, but if reports are to be believed, they're keeping tabs on Raphinha alongside Premier League rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.

Barcelona were thought to be the frontrunners for the forward's signature, but their cash-strapped situation means their ability to stump up Leeds' £65million asking price is in serious doubt.

Raphinha himself reportedly favours a move to the La Liga giants. According to The Athletic, Chelsea are his “preferred destination” if he's unable to make the move to Camp Nou.

The 25-year-old is represented by former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Deco, so it's perhaps no surprise that he'd reportedly rather move to one of those two clubs than Tottenham and Arsenal. But there is certainly competition for Raphinha, with Mikel Arteta's Gunners having seen a bid for him rejected by Leeds.

Were Chelsea to land him, would Raphinha be an improvement on the options currently at Thomas Tuchel's disposal?

The Blues already boast Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi in attacking roles, but certainly appear to be eyeing another forward, with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling also heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

It also looks as though they'll be looking to replace Romelu Lukaku, who looks set to return to Inter on loan after failing to slot in Tuchel's system last term.

Leeds are said to be holding firm on their valuation of their star player, who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water over the past two years and is now a full Brazil international.

Here's how Raphinha compares to Havertz, Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi, based on their corresponding output in the Premier League in 2021-22. We've also included Lukaku's stats for reference.

Goals

Raphinha – 11

Kai Havertz – 8

Romelu Lukaku – 8

Christian Pulisic – 6

Timo Werner – 4

Hakim Ziyech – 4

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 1

Assists

Raphinha – 3

Hakim Ziyech – 3

Kai Havertz – 3

Christian Pulisic – 2

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 2

Timo Werner – 1

Romelu Lukaku – 0

Minutes per goal

Romelu Lukaku – 198.3

Kai Havertz – 227.0

Christian Pulisic – 214.3

Raphinha – 265.7

Timo Werner – 321.5

Hakim Ziyech – 329.3

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 966.0

Minutes per goal or assist

Christian Pulisic – 160.8

Kai Havertz – 165.1

Hakim Ziyech – 188.1

Romelu Lukaku – 198.3

Raphinha – 208.7

Timo Werner – 257.2

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 322.0

Chances created per 90 minutes

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 2.3

Hakim Ziyech – 2.1

Raphinha – 2.0

Romelu Lukaku – 1.4

Christian Pulisic – 1

Kai Havertz – 1

Timo Werner – 0.6

Successful dribbles per 90 minutes (success rate)

Hakim Ziyech – 1.9 (43.2%)

Raphinha – 1.9 (42.2%)

Christian Pulisic – 1.7 (42.5%)

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 1.5 (62.5%)

Kai Havertz – 0.9 (42.9%)

Romelu Lukaku – 0.7 (50.0%)

Timo Werner – 0.7 (30.4%)

Passes per 90 minutes (passing accuracy)

Hakim Ziyech – 43.2 (81.2%)

Raphinha – 33.1 (69.3%)

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 33.0 (85.3%)

Kai Havertz – 32.4 (81.3%)

Christian Pulisic – 30.6 (80.3%)

Timo Werner – 26 (78%)

Romelu Lukaku – 18 (72.9%)

Shots per 90 minutes (inside the penalty area)

Hakim Ziyech – 3.6 (1.1)

Timo Werner – 3.1 (2.8)

Kai Havertz – 2.8 (2.4)

Raphinha – 2.7 (1.2)

Romelu Lukaku – 2.4 (2.2)

Christian Pulisic – 2 (1.5)

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 1.7 (1.6)