Victor Osimhen continues to be a priority signing for Chelsea during the upcoming summer transfer window. Even with his well-documented scoring prowess, however, there exists a huge scheduling clash that can complicate both the move of the striker and Chelsea’s season plans.
Osimhen, who has excelled on loan at Galatasaray, is fighting to secure a permanent transfer away from Napoli. Napoli demanded a huge amount last summer, so Chelsea couldn’t complete the transfer. Today, however, with Napoli seemingly eager to sell for a fee in the order of £63 million, Chelsea may at last have the opportunity to sign the prolific Nigerian striker. However, a major international commitment will make Osimhen miss a key portion of the 2025–26 season.
AFCON Postponement Throws a Spanner into Chelsea’s Season
The Africa Cup of Nations, initially scheduled for this summer, has been pushed to late December 2025 and early 2026. FIFA’s move is intended to make room for the enlarged Club World Cup, in which Chelsea will feature. This adjustment means that Osimhen might be out for around 10 club games if Nigeria progress deep into the tournament.
Nigeria’s group stage schedule starts on December 23, with the final on January 18. Osimhen will need to report to his national team at least a week before kickoff, leaving Chelsea without their potential new striker for one of the most hectic periods of the season. With the Premier League abolishing the winter break and pressing on without interruption through the festive period, his absence would be felt in Chelsea’s attacking ranks.
A Difficult Choice on the Victor Osimhen Transfer Confronts Chelsea
Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen makes sense. The 26-year-old has scored 29 goals in 33 games for Galatasaray, showing his consistency at the top level. A long-term answer to the club’s goal-scoring issues, Osimhen is both quality and experience. But the likelihood of him missing some crucial games in rapid succession might be a tactical issue for the club’s leadership.
Additionally, Chelsea’s Christmas and New Year fixture list is traditionally full of league and domestic cup games. Losing a player of Osimhen’s quality during that period might affect the team’s rhythm, particularly if the title race or top-four battle is close. This concern might compel the club to either postpone a move or seek alternative signings with greater availability in the winter months.
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen himself might be considering his options meticulously. He reportedly wants to complete his next transfer early after already experiencing a frustrating delay in last season’s window. Clubs that have winter breaks, like those in Germany or some other European divisions, might look more appealing if it means fewer clashes with international duty.
Strategic Planning Key for Chelsea
Victor Osimhen is certainly one of the best forwards out there this summer, but Chelsea’s pursuit now has additional layers. The team has to factor in both his contribution on the pitch and his mid-season layoff due to AFCON. With Enzo Maresca presumably looking to get early guidance on squad planning, Chelsea’s recruitment department will need to weigh risk and reward carefully
If they decide to go ahead with the signing, contingency planning will come into play. Possibilities such as signing another forward or pushing youth talent into the fold during Osimhen’s absence may be in the cards. Or the Blues may consider staggered payments or conditional clauses in the transfer deal to factor in the time he will spend out. Victor Osimhen’s eligibility for fewer than a full season is a curve Chelsea will have to smooth if they are going to make a wise investment. For club and player alike, timing will be everything.
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