A new week begins and the search for a new number 9 continues at Chelsea.
Perhaps, this search may be ramped up even more over the forthcoming days, especially considering the deficiencies exposed in the latest Premier League fixture against Leeds United. The Blues' reliance on new signing Raheem Sterling to produce the goods week in, week out is a sign that forwards and attackers like Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and others are not doing enough when given the chance to shine.
"No, no," Thomas Tuchel responded in his post-match press conference when asked if a lack of a proper number 9 was the issue this weekend. Despite this admission, Tuchel and Todd Boehly now have time to rectify this glaring issue alongside others in the midfield and defence.
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"I don't know. We need to wait. The transfer period is still open. It gets later and later, and we need to focus on what we have and what we can do," Tuchel said in relation to the current state of the transfer window. "We can obviously play at a high level, but we lost track when there was no need. We were not forced to lose track. Everything was going well. We can win with this team in Leeds, everything was going well, and we had goalscoring opportunities. It went the other way, and I think it was more our fault than anyone else's credit."
Up top, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivan Toney seem the two most likely signings that could be attainable at the right price with the former of the pair the current focus.
football.london understands that Chelsea are 'very confident' of agreeing to a fee with Barcelona totalling around the £22million mark. This is £4m short of Barca's valuation. So far, Boehly has put forward an offer that includes Marcos Alonso in but Barca have rejected as they want the outright cash, in order for them to register Jules Kounde for La Liga.
The Blues have warned Barca that they are willing to walk away if they continue to play hardball meaning someone like Brentford's Ivan Toney or even Alvaro Morata could be targeted once more if the latest reports on the continent are to be believed.
Regardless of who is eventually signed if anyone for the number 9 position before September 1, Defoe reiterated the need for that to be the top transfer priority whilst aiming a subtle dig in the process at Tuchel for his use of Sterling.
"We spoke about the Sterling chance early on and we've seen him in positions like that at Man City where he will put those away," the former Premier League icon who has recently returned to Tottenham Hotspur said on BBC Match of the Day 2. "A club of that size, you should have a number 9.
"You need a focal point. Having Raheem Sterling playing as a number 9 with his back to goal, it's a completely different game. I know he can drift to the left and right and he tries to isolate people, but at the same time, It's a completely different game.
"And for Chelsea to progress and do well this season, they need a number 9 for sure."
Chelsea fans- Who would you rather sign out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Ivan Toney and why? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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