Chelsea have a huge summer on their hands over the next couple of months to continue the development they’ve made on the pitch throughout 2024/25.
Enzo Maresca has led the Blues to a place within the top five with just two games remaining, sitting in pole position to claim a Champions League position at the first attempt.
The Italian also has the chance to win the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis in a couple of weeks time, adding another European title to the club’s collection.
enzo-maresca-chelsea-premier-league
However, despite their successes over the past few months, investment is still needed in key areas from the hierarchy if the side are to make the jump and compete for the Premier League title again.
One department in particular is desperately in need of added reinforcements, with the manager already wasting no time in pursuing new options this summer.
The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker
Despite the window not yet being open, Chelsea have already made moves for multiple strikers to bolster their ranks ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Liam Delap, Jonathan David and Benjamin Sesko have all been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but the aforementioned trio appear to be behind another player on their list.
liam delap
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has once again emerged as a key target after previously being on their shortlist last summer before his loan move to Galatasaray.
According to FootballTransfers, the Blues are set to enter talks with the 26-year-old’s representatives over a potential move to West London during the off-season.
The report also claims that Osimhen wants a move to join Maresca’s men this summer, with the reported £60m fee not an issue, but his wage demands are the current stumbling block over completing a potential transfer this summer.
Why Chelsea’s £60m target would be a huge upgrade on Jackson
Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea’s main talisman over the last couple of seasons after joining from Villarreal, scoring 29 times in his 77 appearances to date.
nicolas-jackson-chelsea
The Senegalese international has provided key goals in important moments throughout his spell at the club, allowing them to be in their current league standing.
However, he’s often shown moments of head-loss, as seen in the recent outing against Newcastle United, being sent off for an elbow on defender Sven Botman.
He will now miss the remaining games of the 2024/25 campaign, undoubtedly having an impact on Maresca’s chances of securing a top five spot in the next couple of weeks.
Such an incident has once again proven that the hierarchy need to back the manager to hand him another option in forward areas, leading to a move for Napoli star Osimhen.
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
When comparing the Nigerian’s stats with those of Jackson this campaign, he’s massively outperformed him - highlighting what a sensational addition he would be this summer.
Osimhen, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, has managed to register way more combined goals and assists, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate - showcasing his threat within the final third.
How Osimhen compares to Jackson in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Shots taken
Shots on target
Shot-on-target accuracy
Aerials won
Aerial success rate
Stats via FBref
He’s also managed to register more shots per 90, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial duels he’s entered - handing Maresca the added all-round threat that he has desperately been craving this season.
Whilst £60m would be another huge sum splashed out by the hierarchy this summer, it’s an investment that’s desperately needed if the club are to make the step back towards Premier League glory in the coming years.
His figures are evidence that he’s a top-level striker, having the skillset to cement his place at the top end of the pitch for Maresca throughout 2025/26.
Such a move may prove to be a blessing for Jackson too, having the opportunity to learn from one of Europe’s most potent attackers - developing into a better star as a result.
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