Maresca needs a new frontmanMaresca needs a new frontman
Maresca needs a new frontman | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea could sign a player built for the Premier League for relatively cheap this summer.
Chelsea should consider repeating what Villarreal did around two years ago when Nicolas Jackson left them to join Chelsea. Jackson joined the Blues on a big-money deal, leaving a gap behind him at Estadio de la Ceramica, but Villarreal didn’t blink.
They spend around 10 million euros on then Real Sociedad striker Alexander Sorloth, who went on to score an impressive 23 goals in 34 league games. Sortloth had just one season with the Castellon club, going on to leave for three times that fee to join Atletico Madrid.
A year or so later, Sorloth is being linked with an exit from Atletico, with the Spanish giants reportedly asking for around 50million euros, which works out at around £42million.
With Chelsea in need of a striker, they could view that deal as a budget-friendly option, with Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and others all likely to cost significantly more this summer. The Blues are in desperate need of another striker heading into this summer.
While Jackson has developed steadily, it’s clear they need competition for their 23-year-old frontman, and what better way to keep him on his toes than by buying the player who successfully replaced him at his last club. Now, Jackson and Sorloth are two very different players, but there in lies the attraction for Enzo Maresca, who will want different kinds of options in the striker role heading into next season.
The Chelsea boss is also in need of experience, with Jackson’s raw-nature showing at times. That’s an issue Sortloth may well be able to help with, and the fee involved means Maresca will still have the cash to improve in other positions, with a centre-back and a winger also required, at the very least.
What to know about Sorloth
Sorloth was built for the Premier League. His towering presence and incredible strength would not only offer something very different for Chelsea, but there is little doubting that the striker has the physicality required to succeed in the Premier League.
In some ways, the Norwegian is a lesser Erling Haaland in his playing style, but make no mistake, he is a top-class player in his own right. The forward has excellent technique, and having watched him closely at Villarreal, it’s clear this player is the perfect signing for a Premier League club. He is as good at getting in behind as he is at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
He found the net at will for Villarreal, scoring 23 times in 32 league games, The Yellow Submarine tripled their money, and since then, the striker has scored 17 goals in 33 league games for Atletico. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for him with Atleti, but he is a resilient frontman who doesn’t relent in imposing his will on defenders.
Chelsea have been linked with a number of strikers, including Viktor Gyokeres, but Sorloth is not only likely to be cheaper, but he already carries more experience in a top league and in Europe. The Norwegian is obviously older, aged 29, but Chelsea need immediate impact, and Sortloth will offer that.
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