Darren Bent believes Chelsea don’t need to sign another striker and claims the club have a good set of options in the number nine position.
It’s well documented the Blues wanted to sign a striker in summer having pursued Victor Osimhen for the majority of the window, whilst they also saw a deal for Samu Omorodion collapse at the last minute despite everything being agreed.
Despite not signing a striker Chelsea have made a good start to the season and currently sit third and are the third highest scorers in the league.
Bent believes Chelsea don’t need another striker
Nicolas Jackson has made a great start to the season and has seven goals and three assists from 12 league games, with his start showing that not signing a striker might not have been a bad thing.
The 23-year-old has come on leaps and bounds under Enzo Maresca and a report from The Athletic last week stated that Chelsea believe the Senegalese is one of the top three strikers in the league.
Nicolas Jackson celebrates opening the scoring against Leicester. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jackson is Chelsea’s first choice striker. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jackson has started every league game this season and is keeping the more established Christopher Nkunku out of the side, with some reports indicating the France international is considering his future due to a lack of playing time.
A striker is still likely on Chelsea’s list and the Blues have recently been linked with a move for Ipswich’s Liam Delap, but Bent believes they don’t need another number nine.
“I know they spoke about, do they need to go and find another one? I don’t think they do,” he told Ben Foster’s YouTube channel.
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Ben Foster at a Wrexham pre-season game.
Chelsea players in a group huddle.
A full Stamford Bridge with the Pride of London banner.
“I think they’ve got a good set of strikers there. They’ve got Nkunku on the bench. I think they’ve got more than enough firepower now to make top four.”
Chelsea have enough in their squad to finish in the top four, but with Nkunku not an out and out nine it feels like the Blues need an alternative to Jackson and a more physical profile at the top end of the pitch to help complete the squad.