Maresca needs a new frontmanMaresca needs a new frontman
Maresca needs a new frontman | Getty Images
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has already told the board where he needs the most help.
Maresca’s men already know that two wins will be enough, but any less than six points and they run the risk of missing out, especially with their final game against direct rivals Nottingham Forest, who will be looking to take the chase to the final day.
Whether or not Chelsea get into the Champions League could have a significant impact on their summer transfer business. Not only will it be harder to convince top-level players to join without Champions League football, but there is a significant revenue cost to missing out on the competition, with Profit and Sustainability ruled a much greater concern without that revenue.
Maresca is likely to want a handful of signings this summer, with the centre-back, wing and striker positions clearly the most in need. And as Chelsea prepare to face Manchester United on Friday night, Maresca has reminded the board of the issues he has at the striker position, with the Blues having decided not to push through a deal for Victor Osimhen at the end of the last summer window.
“We don’t have Nico for this game and we are working on that,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “These are the options we have, unfortunately we don’t have many options [to play as a striker]. Unfortunately, Marc Guiu is still coming back from injury. He has started to train with us recently but is not ready to start. So we are working on different options for Friday night in the absence of Nico.”
Chelsea’s need for a striker
Maresca has made it clear he wants a striker, and he is almost certain to get one. According to Simon Phillips, Lille striker Jonathan David is a possible option, with the Canadian available on a free transfer this summer, although he is not likely to agree a deal before the end of the season despite already being eligible to engage in discussions and agree a transfer.
If David can be signed on a free transfer, it may even be possible for Chelsea to sign more than one striker this summer, given the savings they will make, albeit David will demand increased wages due to the absence of a transfer fee. The Canada international has scored 25 goals so far this season.
A number of other strikers have also been linked, including Osimhen and Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap. but the Blues have a big task at hand, and we are not likely to see any movement until after the end of the Premier League season and the Conference League final.
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