Chelsea need another striker, and they need a profile that they don’t have. There needs to be a more physical focus up top. I don’t think that’s a debate. We need options, we don’t have them, and we haven’t had them since Diego Costa. I have no doubt that this type of striker should be non-negotiable in this transfer window.
SPTC According to sources, discussions are still ongoing internally about which striker to bring in this summer, and they are still waiting and reviewing the opportunity to present itself.
Chelsea are no longer willing to pay more for any player, so realistically the likes of Ivan Toni are likely to be ruled out, but the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion are more viable targets.
SPTC According to sources, Chelsea are targeting Omorodion as their main target this summer and are hoping Atletico will do something about both deals, either by reducing Omorodion’s valuation or by making a move for Conor Gallagher.
But we continue to hear how much faith the club has in Nicholas Jackson, as well as rave reviews of another new young striker, Mark Giew, who is currently with the first team on tour in the United States.
Chelsea have yet to decide what to do with Guiu and Enzo Maresca and will want to keep a close eye on him during this tour, so he could still be loaned out.
But if you have that much faith in Jackson and Guiu, wouldn’t it make more sense to go for an older, more experienced free agent, a very cheap option, or even a striker on loan? That way, Jackson and/or Guiu won’t be in trouble.
I’ve had a quick look at striker FAs at the moment and I don’t think there are any real options for us to choose from. The question is what type of deal to pursue. You should consider loaning a striker, whether he’s old or young. If he’s young, could you include a buy option in the deal like Mateo Kovacic? It’s less risky and often his parent club also pays some of the wages. You might be able to find a suitable option to loan.
Of course, my preferences are established, and I’m sure we can find more proven and established options to bring in someone who doesn’t command a high salary.
The FAs I mentioned earlier are:
- Kelechi Iheanacho (27)
- Anthony Martial (28)
- Memphis Depay (30)
- Wissam Ben Yedder (33)
- Ollie McBurney (28)
- Andy Delotte (32)
- Mohamed Konate (26)
- Robin Quaison (30)
- Alexis Sanchez (35)
- Musa Marega (33)
- Mario Balotelli (33)
Do you like any of these!?
My opinion is that we need to bring in a striker who can improve what we already have. That’s a no-brainer.
But based on the club’s thinking and everything I’ve heard about Jackson, Guiu, etc., and the fact that Omorodion is one of the best options we have this summer, I think it would be wiser to leave Jackson/Guiu alone and go for a striker who isn’t just young, inexperienced, and unproven. But I have to make it clear that this is never going to be my preference. We have to improve what we have.
However, in the situations mentioned above, transfer through a loan would be the best option.
I will continue to beat this drum.
Simon Phillips
