Chelsea have been house to quite a few elite-level strikers through the years, serving to the membership cement themselves as a top-end Premier League outfit.
Didier Drogba and Diego Costa have undoubtedly been two of probably the most profitable forwards within the membership’s latest historical past – capturing the hearts of the fanbase with their all-round skills in ahead areas.
Nevertheless, in 2024, the membership lack that type of presence up entrance, with Nicolas Jackson a striker who likes to play on the shoulder fairly than as a participant who can maintain the ball up and produce different teammates into play.
The membership tried to fight such a difficulty over the summer time switch window, however had been unable to safe any new additions. They aimed to safe a transfer for one participant however finally missed out on a deal after long-standing curiosity within the centre-forward.
Chelsea’s curiosity in Victor Osimhen this summer time
After wanting a departure from Italian aspect Napoli following the switch of Chelsea flop Romelu Lukaku, the Blues had been within the race to signal Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
The 25-year-old has been a continuing supply of targets for the Serie A aspect, scoring 76 occasions in his 133 appearances for the membership – a median of 0.6 targets per recreation throughout his four-year stint.
Nevertheless, Enzo Maresca’s aspect weren’t in a position to safe a deal for the striker, with the Blues in a continuing battle with Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Ahli over a transfer for Osimhen.
Neither aspect secured a everlasting switch for the Nigerian, because the striker moved to Galatasaray on a season-long mortgage after the closure of the window in England and Saudi.
He would’ve value the Blues an enormous sum, probably affecting their present PSR standing, however undoubtedly would have supplied that added high quality that the membership have been crying out for.
Nevertheless, the membership might have made a mistake in permitting one participant to depart Stamford Bridge, with the striker discovering his toes within the Premier League in recent times.
Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke remorse
After coming by means of the membership’s academy, striker Dominic Solanke had actual excessive hopes of being successful in West London, scoring 35 targets at youth degree and profitable the 2015 FA Youth Cup within the course of.
Nevertheless, he would solely make one first-team look for the Blues, that includes for a complete of 17 minutes, earlier than leaving for Liverpool in a measly £3m deal throughout Antonio Conte’s reign in 2017.
Solanke’s profession has taken a pointy upturn after his departure from Stamford Bridge, starring for Bournemouth within the Premier League, incomes him a £65m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur this summer time.
The switch comes after the Englishman netted 21 targets in all competitions final season, a tally increased than summer time goal Osimhen, who might solely register 17 targets for the Italian aspect.
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Premier League’s high goalscorers – 2023/24 marketing campaign |
|
|---|---|
|
Participant |
Tally |
|
Erling Haaland |
27 |
|
Cole Palmer |
22 |
|
Alexander Isak |
21 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
19 |
|
Phil Foden |
19 |
|
Ollie Watkins |
19 |
|
Stats through FotMob |
|
Given his latest success away from the membership, Chelsea should remorse permitting such a scientific striker to depart the membership for a tiny charge early on in his improvement.
Maresca might’ve benefitted from Solanke in 2024, with the 26-year-old’s eye for aim undoubtedly bettering the choices obtainable at his disposal.
Nevertheless, it should stay a case of what might have been for the Blues, with Solanke’s expertise bettering rivals Spurs and probably dealing the membership a blow in their very own hunt for Champions League qualification beneath Maresca this season.
