Who will Chelsea sign in the attack to join Raheem Sterling this summer?
A key question which has produced no answers as of yet with all focus on signing new defenders amid a fresh blow in the race for for Jules Kounde. According to Spanish outlets like El Desmarque and Relevo, the Blues have had enough and have withdrawn themselves from the running for the 23-year-old.
Once other options are eventually signed, the attack is expected to become the prime focus of the new owners who have a big task on their hands to fix an attack that came under heavy scrutiny by manager Thomas Tuchel after the latest Arsenal humbling on pre-season. "For sure. If you look at the first half, it was even hard to escape our half in a productive way and to play in the opponent’s half in a positive way and create chances – we had one chance with a shot [that hit the post]," Tuchel reflected on the attacking situation.
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"But the amount of dangerous situations, the amount of one against ones, the amount of accelerations in the second half, where we dominated the game and were the better team in the first 22 minutes, but with their first action they score and we didn't have too many dangerous situations [after that]. Listen, it's the same players, so why should anything change? We will see hopefully development but at the moment, we have the same issues because we have the same players."
With Timo Werner apparently angling for a RB Leipzig return whilst the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are also considering their futures, Todd Boehly may need to consider a plethora of new options to pursue actively. Cristiano Ronaldo was a target earlier in the window and despite recent talk that the Blues could be offered him once again after an initial rejection, The Athletic have reported that he is set for showdown talks with the Manchester United board, who are hoping to convince him to stay and give Erik ten Hag a chance in the process.
There have been mild links to Jarrod Bowen, but not much else so far. One striker who could compete with Armando Broja and Kai Havertz next season has made a Didier Drogba and Harry Kane admission that will excite Chelsea fans who are desperate to see some significant movement on the transfer front in the forthcoming days.
Victor Osimhen, who was briefly linked to Arsenal before they opted for Gabriel Jesus, has three years remaining on his current Napoli deal. Only a big money offer would put a move to the Premier League seriously in question and based on his words, Boehly may consider making an attempt to sign someone with a big reputation on the European scene and who could be the Blues' next Drogba.
He told Italian media via The Daily Express: "[Lazio’s Ciro] Immobile is my favourite Italian striker. I like him a lot. [Juventus striker Dusan] Vlahovic is also very strong. Then [Romelu] Lukaku is back, there is Lautaro [Martinez]. And there’s me. It will be a good fight.
"[AC Milan striker Rafael] Leao is fast, but I am really fast. Drogba is my idol, my inspiration, he has always motivated me to become who I am and one day I hope to get close to him. Today I am also inspired by Harry Kane, but there are many strikers around that I like and can learn something from.”
One aspect that would make a Broja stay this summer more likely is the fact that the Nigerian international inadvertently committed his future to Naples for the upcoming 2022/23 season. Nevertheless, in Chelsea's long search for their Drogba and Diego Costa goalscoring heir, with another potentially good season under his belt, the striker who has 37 goal contributions so far in Southern Italy could be ready for his next chapter in England.
“I’m at Napoli and I have great respect for my club," he added. “These are just market rumours, I’m happy here and I’ve never had such close relations with everyone as I do right now.
“I spoke with President De Laurentiis, he is the one who decides, and he reassured me by explaining the club’s plans. I’m happy with what he told me and the signings are quality, words have been followed by deeds. I’m very happy to play with Napoli and in the future we’ll see.”
Chelsea fans- Could Victor Osimhen be the long-term answer to the Blues' goalscoring woes? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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