With the current Chelsea team crying out for a clinical striker, now would be the best time to make a move. Nicolas Jackson scored 14 goals and assisted 5 times in 35 matches last season, but it seems like he is not the prolific striker that Chelsea have been looking for. Here are 5 strikers that Chelsea should consider to bolster their attack.
Victor Osimhen
Height: 6’1
Weight: 170lbs
Age: 25
Preferred Foot: Right
Nationality: Nigeria
Club: Napoli
Strengths: Ball striking, aerial ability, shot power, hold-up play, speed, positioning
Weaknesses: Technical ability, linkup play, passing, creativity
Market Value (Release Clause): £90m (£113m)
It looks as if Romelu Lukaku may be heading to Naples on a permanent deal this summer, a deal which may offer Chelsea some leverage to sign Victor Osimhen in return. Despite the Blue considering Osimhen and Lukaku separate deals, we saw the same with the deals with Atletico Madrid for João Félix and Conor Gallagher. Chelsea saw those deals as separate despite Gallagher only being able to sign for Atletico if the Félix, previously Omorodion, transfer went through.
Osimhen would bring a very needed goal threat and presence in the box for Chelsea with his elite finishing and aerial ability. The 6’1, 170lbs beast has unmatched holdup play and physical ability, playing off the shoulders of defenders with a quick burst of pace and physical stature. Osimhen’s ball striking is also second to none, possessing immense shot power whilst still being able to hit the target. The Nigerian striker scores a goal every 133 minutes on average, which is exactly what the Blue need from a striker.
However, this is more of an ‘if’ transfer rather than a ‘when’ as currently Chelsea only want to convince Napoli and Osimhen to accept a loan deal, something that neither the striker or the Italians want. This saga is definitely one for the final days of the window.
Ivan Toney
Height: 6’0
Weight: 143lbs
Age: 28
Preferred Foot: Right
Nationality: England
Club: Brentford
Strengths: Physicality, linkup play, hold-up play, aerial ability, ball striking, positioning, work rate
Weaknesses: Commits fouls often, aggressive, decision making, passing
Market Value (Release Clause): £47m (N/A)
With Ivan Toney being left out of Brentford’s squad for their Premier League opening game, it looks as though he may be on his way out despite new frontman Igor Thiago suffering an injury that may see him on the sidelines until December. The proven striker could be available for £45 million this summer which may prove to be a fair price should Chelsea splash the cash on him.
Toney scored 20 goals in 33 starts in the 2022/23 Premier League season, outperforming his xG by 1.21. The Englishman has a creative side to him too, creating 12 big chances and registering 4 league assists. Toney previously broke the EFL Championship goalscoring record in the 2020/21 season, scoring 31 goals, 9 being penalties. The England international impressed at this year’s European Championships too, assisting Harry Kane’s dramatic extra-time winner against Slovenia.
It’s safe to say that Chelsea would know exactly what they would be getting with Toney should they buy him, or if they prefer not to meet his asking price they could always wait until next summer to get him on a free. Despite interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli, nothing concrete has come of it yet and Chelsea may yet have time to make a swoop.
Viktor Gyokeres
Height: 6’2
Weight: 198lbs
Age: 26
Preferred Foot: Right
Nationality: Sweden
Club: Sporting
Strengths: Shot power, shot accuracy, ball striking, technical ability, acceleration, passing, ability to win fouls, two-footed, strength, aerial ability
Weaknesses: Agility, speed, defensive work rate
Market Value (Release Clause): £57m (£86m)
Another striker that Chelsea have previously been linked to, Viktor Gyokeres is perhaps my favourite of the five strikers on this list. The Swede has already scored 3 league goals and assisted once in two games this season, and was incredible for Amorim’s Sporting side last season, netting 29 league goals and 10 assists in 33 games. Gyokeres outperformed his xG by an impressive 6.29, registering a goal on average every 101 minutes. Gyokeres had a total of 42 goals and 13 assists in 49 games across all competitions.
Another creative and technical striker, Gyokeres created 11 big chances last season, registering 1.6 key passes per game. The forward outperformed his xA by 3.92 also, showing his impressive creative skills. Perhaps the exact profile that Chelsea are crying out for, Gyokeres likes to receive the ball and drive at defenders but can also position himself well in the box and get up for headers, scoring 5 headed goals in all competitions last season.
The former Birghton and Coventry man would be a smart signing from Chelsea as he has very few weaknesses to his game, and fits the profile that they need. The only roadblocks they face are his £86 million release clause and competition from Arsenal.
Santiago Gimenez
Height: 6’0
Weight: 152lbs
Age: 23
Preferred Foot: Left
Nationality: Mexico
Club: Feyenoord
Strengths: Ball striking, positioning, movement, linkup play, hold-up play, strength, acceleration, ball manipulation, two-footed, aerial ability
Weaknesses: Defensive workrate, passing, speed, concentration
Market Value (Release Clause): £40m (N/A)
One of the best talents emerging from the Eredivisie right now is Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican goal poacher is attracting interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leicester city as they try to bolster their attacking options for the upcoming season. However, with Forest closing in on a deal for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, Chelsea could have a good shot at landing the Feyenoord man.
Gimenez scored 26 goals and assisted 8 across 41 matches in all competitions last season. He is off the mark already this season, having 4 goals and 2 assists in 3 games across all competitions so far. Scoring 23 league goals in 29 starts last season, Gimenez matched his xG, missing 24 big chances. The Mexican assisted 6 league goals last season, creating 9 big chances and registering 1 key pass per 90 minutes on average, showcasing his creative ability. The forward could work on his ball retention, losing possession 10.1 times per 90.
Potentially available for just £40 million this season, Santi Gimenez should definitely be a player that Chelsea consider for that striker position.
Jhon Duran
Height: 6’1
Weight: 160lbs
Age: 20
Preferred Foot: Left
Nationality: Colombia
Club: Aston Villa
Strengths: Ball striking, shot power, aerial ability, defensive workrate, pace, strength, long shots, winning fouls
Weaknesses: Discipline, touch, positioning, weak foot
Market Value (Release Clause): £18m (N/A)
Perhaps a controversial suggestion, Jhon Duran is a striker that Chelsea have already considered and seemingly have moved on from. The Blues were close to a £40 million deal for the Colombian, but pulled out despite personal terms being agreed. However, with the Osimhen saga coming to an end, Duran could be a solid option for Chelsea now that it seems he will not be going to West Ham with them opting for Niclas Füllkrug.
Duran fully broke into the Aston Villa first team last season, coming off the bench for 20 Premier League games, and starting 3. Duran scored 5 league goals, outperforming his xG by 2.97. This may seem underwhelming, until you see that his average minutes per game only sat at 22 minutes. Duran scored 8 goals in a total 37 matches across all competitions, playing only 1,103 minutes. This season, Duran was subbed in during Villa’s Premier League opener against West Ham and scored after only 17 minutes. Duran is impressive in the air too, winning 61% of his aerial duels in the Premier League last season.
Being only 20 years old, Duran has bundles of talent and potential with his unstoppable shot power and ball striking technique. He would provide healthy competition for Jackson so may not be the elite striker that Chelsea need, but could certainly become that if he fulfils his huge potential.
With Aston Villa reportedly in negotiations with Atletico Madrid for former Chelsea target Samu Omorodion, Duran may be seen as surplus to requirements which could open the door to a surprise Chelsea move.
Conclusion
There are currently a plethora of top striker targets available right now and with Chelsea reportedly looking to add a striker to their ranks before the window ends in just over a week. If Chelsea miss out on their top target, Victor Osimhen, there are still many options that they could be tempted by. They also have the option to hold off until next summer and go in for impressive Slovenian talent Benjamin Sesko, or they could reignite their interest in Brighton talent Evan Ferguson in the final days of the window. It should also be considered that bright new signing Marc Guiu would likely be a rotation option between Jackson and a potential new striker. There are also rumours of him going out on loan, with him impressing in pre-season.
This summer we have seen that anything can happen with signings such as Pedro Neto, so never rule anybody out, especially when it comes to Chelsea.
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