Maresca needs a strikerMaresca needs a striker
Maresca needs a striker | Getty Images
Chelsea face losing out on a race to sign one of the best strikers in world football.
Jackson is progressing well, but there is no doubting that the lack of competition behind him has hampered his consistency this term. Christopher Nkunku was expected to play that role, but Maresca has never appeared convinced by the Frenchman.
It now looks as though Nkunku will depart this summer, and Chelsea are expected to go out and ge themselves a reliable goalscorer, allowing them to have a dangerous combination between Jackson and another striker, while Maresca has also spoke in glowing terms of young forward Marc Guiu, who is expected to play a role going forward.
Maresca and Chelsea’s recruitment chiefs are likely to have a handful of options, and one of them could be Victor Osimhen. It’s common knowledge that the Nigerian superstar was the subject of interest at the back-end of the last summer transfer window, with the striker falling out Napoli.
In the end, the Blues walked away from a possible deal, and Osimhen went on to join Galatasaray on loan for the season. The 26-year-old has fired the Turkish club to the title, scoring 25 goals in 29 league games, and the Turkish club are now discussing ways they can keep hold of him despite the likely being a very expensive one between Napoli’s asking price and the striker’s extremely high wages.
"We talked to my president about Osimhen in January," Galatasaray chief Abdullah Kavukcu told A Spor. “We told Osimhen in January, 'We want you very much; don’t go anywhere. We are working to get your transfer'."
Osimhen has spoken glowingly about his time in Türkiye, saying recently: “I feel very happy. It is incredible to take part in Galatasaray’s history and reach the fifth star. We have two matches left. We will look to have fun. I am enjoying the moment. I am not thinking about my future.”
The striker had also said previously: "There are always rumours about me, but I live in the moment. Right now, I’m enjoying all of this. The fans have supported me incredibly, not just me, but also my teammates and my family. The best decision for everyone will be made. But Galatasaray will always have a place in my heart.”
Chelsea should act immediately
Chelsea need a striker, and they need a world-class goalscorer if they want to skip ahead in their mission to close the gap on those who finished above them - namely Premier League champions Liverpool.
There are very few players who have proven themselves to be top-class goalscorers wherever they have played, and Osimhen is one of those players. He has a superb goalscoring record, and this is a player who should be close to priceless. But Osimhen’s situation with Napoli means he is very much gettable, and for significantly less than what a player like Alexander Isak would cost.
For the amount he would cost, which is expected to be around £63million, Osimhen is by far the most proven commodity, and Chelsea should act immediately to get the deal done before Galatasaray can convince him to stay where he is.
Continue Reading