Based on what we've seen since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired the club three years ago, we're expecting yet another busy summer of transfer activity at Chelsea.
So far, under Boehly's ownership, the Blues have spent in excess of £1bn on over 40 new first-team players, numbers that are likely to rise this summer, regardless of whether or not Enzo Maresca's side secure Champions League qualification next Sunday.
Chelsea-U21-signings-under-Todd-Boehly (timeless)
A new striker is likely to be at the top of their list of priorities, so could they return to one of their favourite shopping destinations?
The latest on Christopher Nkunku's Chelsea future
Earlier this month, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland reported that Christopher Nkunku 'has decided' he will leave Chelsea this summer.
Christopher Nkunku scores for Chelsea
The French international arrived from RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £52m two summers ago, but has made very little impact at Stamford Bridge, as the table below outlines.
Christopher Nkunku's Chelsea career in numbers
Statistics
Total appearances
Total starts
PL appearances
PL starts
Matches an unused substitute
Matches missed due to injury
Total goals
Total assists
PL goals
UECL goals
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt
As highlighted in the table, Nkunku has spent almost half of his Chelsea career in the treatment room, while 41% of his goals have come in the Conference League, which isn't the competition they spent big money hoping he would star in.
Aurélien Léger-Moëc of Foot Mercato claims that Bayern Munich and Newcastle are amongst those 'interested' in signing Nkunku this summer, and now is certainly the time for Chelsea to cash in and attempt to recoup a decent fee, so do they have their eyes on a replacement?
Chelsea could sign dream replacement for Nkunku
As reported by Sam Dean of the Telegraph, Chelsea are 'interested' in signing Brighton forward João Pedro, with Arsenal and Liverpool also considering making a move.
Joao-Pedro-Brighton
This week, the Brazilian was nominated for the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award, with manager Fabian Hürzeler praising his forward as an "important player" for the Seagulls.
Meantime, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him "simply fantastic", Oliver Haines from Breaking the Lines is impressed by his high-quality finishing, while Chris Wilder, who was his manager at Watford, believes he is a "super-talented player".
Pedro joined Brighton for a reported £30m two years ago, and his outstanding form means the Albion now value him at £100m, according to James Holland of Team Talk.
Well, Chelsea are not usually shy when it comes to signing Brighton players, as the table below underlines.
Chelsea signings from Brighton (2022-present)
Players
Moisés Caicedo
Robert Sánchez
Marc Cucurella
Shumaira Mheuka
Zak Sturge
Total
All information courtesy of Transfermarkt
With that in mind, could João Pedro be next?
joao-pedro-celebrates-brighton-marseille-europa-league
Well, let's compare his statistics this season to those of Nkunku to see if he would, indeed, be the dream replacement for the wantaway Frenchman.
Christopher Nkunku vs João Pedro Premier League 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Shots
Shots on target %
Big chances created
Big chances missed
Shot-creating actions
Goal-creating actions
Touches per 90
Average Sofascore Rating
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore
As the table outlines, Pedro boasts almost universally better statistics than Nkunku this season, when it comes to goals, assists, shooting, and chances created.
Thus, the Brazilian would surely be an excellent signing for the Blues, and that is why the club should ruthlessly ditch Nkunku from the squad in order to make room for this new addition.
Chelsea-Joao-Pedro Related
[He's better than Joao Pedro: Chelsea looking at signing the "next Mbappe"](https://www.footballfancast.com/hes-better-than-joao-pedro-chelsea-looking-to-sign-hugo-ekitike/ "He's better than Joao Pedro: Chelsea looking at signing the "next Mbappe"")
Chelsea are looking for a new striker this summer