Chelsea are in the market for a centre-forward this summer to ease the burden on Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson scored 10 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 campaign from 30 appearances, with his season hit by injury and suspension. He was one of only two players to hit double figures for goals, with Cole Palmer topping the scoring charts with 15 for the season – and he only scored once in the final 17 games of the campaign.
Adding another forward this summer is imperative if Chelsea are to challenge higher up the Premier League table and in the Champions League next season.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has already described Jackson as his “perfect No.9” when asked who he would like to sign in the transfer window.
Speaking last month, Maresca said: “My perfect No.9 is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a No.9. It’s not summer now, if we can have a copy of Nico, it’s okay.”
Now it is the summer, however, with the Premier League season over, and attention now turns to new players the Blues can bring in.
Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked and football.london understand he is on the Blues’ transfer shortlist, although he is the oldest and will cost the most in terms of wages.
Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ipswich’s Liam Delap, Lille’s Jonathan David and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko are also on the wish list.
But Chelsea have been sent something of a warning when it comes to Ekitike.
The Frenchman enjoyed a fine season in the Bundesliga, helping Frankfurt to third place and qualification for the Champions League with 15 goals in the top flight and 22 in all competitions.
However, according to stats, the 22-year-old actually underperformed considerably in front of goal for the German side – something that is all too familiar already at Stamford Bridge.
Ekitike had an Expected Goals (xG) figure of 22.55 in the Bundesliga, with the stats suggesting he should have scored at least seven more goals than he actually managed.
Chelsea have had their troubles in front of goal and will be looking for a new signing to rectify their problems, rather than add to them.
Osimhen, on the other hand, scored 25 goals in the Turkish Super League from an xG of 24.43 – outscoring his expected goals figure. The Nigerian may cost more, but he has the numbers to back up his wage demands.
Chelsea can end the 2024/25 Premier League season on a high, but it is never quiet at Stamford Bridge and the summer looks set to be one full of news, with Enzo Maresca looking for transfer to bolster his squad.
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