A former Premier League striker has questioned Chelsea's decision to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over Brentford's Ivan Toney and has urged Todd Boehly to do a U-turn in future transfer windows if the next number 9 experiment was not to have worked out.
The Blues are trying to acclimatise to a lot of change that has happened in the last few weeks. From the Deadline Day signing of the former Arsenal talismanic figure to the shock sacking of Thomas Tuchel, stability is the key now if new manager Graham Potter was to get his team firing once more. In his first outing against RB Salzburg, Potter's team suffered the same fate that his predecessor warned about on numerous occasions- a lack of clinical edge in front of goal. The 33-year-old spurned a couple of chances but other than that was rather quiet on his Stamford Bridge debut. But the Gabon international explained his underwhelming start to life on his Premier League return as not being '100%' right.
"I’m going to need more time, I’m not 100% fine, it’s not easy to play with a mask and an injury, let’s hope I recover 100% as soon as possible," he said after the game. His next opportunity to live up to the £11m billing that Boehly paid in the last 24 hours of the transfer window comes after the international break when Chelsea take on Crystal Palace. A London derby that could be postponed to add on to the misery of the Liverpool fixture falling through this weekend due to Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral but this time it would be for different reasons.
READ MORE: England squad announced for Nations League clashes as Ivan Toney handed call-up
Rail strikes could mean even more fixture congestion to come for the West Londoners but currently, the game is still going ahead of the once winner of the Premier League Golden Boot will hope to kick off his campaign at Selhurst Park. Of course, this experiment could fail and Boehly could end up with egg on his face, especially as he missed out on the late £50million chance to poach the in-form Toney.
The soon-to-be English international has already attained seven goal contributions in his first six Premier League outings with Arsenal up next for the Bees. The £50m quoted may not have been as steep as some initially made out. Especially as that valuation was vindicated with the fact that Gareth Southgate selected the former Peterborough and Newcastle striker in his Three Lions squad for the upcoming fixtures against Italy and Germany.
If the 26-year-old was to shine throughout the rest of 2022/23, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney believes the Blues should be in the mix alongside the likes of Man United in the running to sign the Bees star.
‘This guy has proven for a few years now that he can do it on the next level,’ he wrote in his latest column for The Sun. ‘I remember Ivan was linked with Arsenal and Manchester United previously and he would have shone there.
‘He would have been a perfect fit for United in terms of what they currently need up front, as well as Arsenal until Gabriel Jesus redefined that role for them. If he has the year he will likely have, even Chelsea will be keeping an eye on him.
‘He could go there long-term and be a real success under Graham Potter. You look at the certain type of striker nowadays, your Darwin Nunez or Erling Haaland who are 6ft-plus and are mobile and can score all different types of goals, you have to put Ivan in that category.
‘He has always been a humble kid but he is very confident in his ability and when you score the amount he has over the past two years, you would back yourself.’
Chelsea fans - would you have rather seen big money spent on Ivan Toney or do you believe Todd Boehly made the right decision to opt for the cheaper and more experienced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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