According to Chelsea Chronicle, it is interesting to discuss how Chelsea failed to sign a striker despite a busy window. Chelsea spent most of their summer transfer window in signing forwards for the current season. One player they chased in particular, was Napoli’s forward, Victor Osimhen.
However, the Nigerian striker rejected a move to Stamford Bridge and went to Turkish club, Galatasaray, on loan instead. However, another player who was a top target for Chelsea this transfer window was Johnathan David, who plays for Ligue 1 club, Lille. David was a cheaper strike option for the Blues, available for a reported transfer fee of just £21 million.
David was reportedly ready for a move to the Bridge this summer. However, Chelsea never made any official attempt to sign the Canadian striker. Some Chelsea fans considered David incapable of wearing a Chelsea shirt, despite the fact that the striker scored 19 goals and provided 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season.
With the transfer window over, the Blues did not manage to sign any striker this summer. Fans and football pundits are questioning Enzo Maresca’s strategy for the season, going in without a new striker. Last season, Chelsea created the most chances out of all the Premier League clubs. However, they also topped the list of missing the most big chances last season. This posed a big question regarding the finishing ability of Chelsea’s main number 9, Nicolas Jackson. It looked like the need for a new striker was eminent.
Is Victor Osimhen a talk for the past now for Chelsea?
Chelsea were linked with many strikers throughout the transfer window. However, Victor Osimhen was the name on everyone’s lips in London. The Nigerian striker was forcing a transfer move out of Napoli, after a public breakout between the club and him. Many clubs from the Saudi Pro League also tried to grab the opportunity to bring former Serie A top scorer to the league. However, Osimhen decided to reject the big paychecks to stay in Europe.
Chelsea were one of the clubs who tried to sign Osimhen. New Napoli manager, Antonio Conté, wanted to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. Conte and Lukaku won the Serie A title before with Inter Milan. Lukaku played some of the best football of his career under Conté. This was the main reason why both, the manager and the player, wanted a reunion.
However, Chelsea rejected a swap deal offer from Napoli, involving Lukaku and Osimhen . Chelsea’s final attempt to sign the Nigerian striker in the final days of the transfer window was also unsuccessful. Napoli stuck to their asking price for Victor Osimhen and offered a loan deal instead.
In the end, the negotiations broke down between both the clubs, and no deal was completed within the transfer window. It seems very confusing in the end to understand why did Chelsea reject a swap deal with Napoli for Osimhen.
Enzo Maresca puts faith in Nicolas Jackson
The Blues have decided to put faith in their young striker, Nicolas Jackson, for this season as well. Nicolas Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal and managed to become a regular starter for the club.
Despite the criticism, the Blues gave Nicolas Jackson a new contract with an improved salary, showing their trust in the youngster. Enzo Maresca has also praised the youngster numerous times in interviews. The new Chelsea manager labels the youngster as an “important player” of the squad. Jackson has managed to survived the Chelsea rebuild this summer, after many players were forced out of the club.
Jackson managed to score an early goal in the draw against Crystal Palace. The young striker has contributed greatly in the attack in the opening three games in the Premier League. The Blues also have the leverage to play French forward, Christopher Nkunku, as a number 9 in the attack.
Nkunku was injured for the majority of the last season. However, the French forward had a great pre-season and is ready to play a big role in the Blues quest for silverware and finishing in a top 4 spot this season. Enzo Maresca will have to choose between playing Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the striker role. Chelsea will face Bournemouth after the international break in their fourth game of the Premier League.
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