Chelsea’s transfer window has been electric, ambitious, and—unsurprisingly—unfinished. They’ve already added promising talents like Liam Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Joao Pedro to inject dynamism into the attack. But despite this flurry of activity, the glaring need for consistent goal scoring remains unsolved.
The answer may lie in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, a young striker with immense potential. But as with all things Chelsea, there’s a catch: there is only one way this move becomes possible—and it runs straight through selling Nicolas Jackson.
Reinforcements Everywhere—But Still Not Enough Goals
Chelsea’s rebuild has been centered around youth, versatility, and long-term upside. Delap was a low-risk, high-upside addition, while Joao Pedro brings technical finesse and positional flexibility. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens adds wing depth with serious dribbling ability.
But none of them solve Chelsea’s most urgent issue: scoring 20 goals a season in the Premier League.
Delap looked sharp in the Premier League with Ipswich Town and has impressed early in the Club World Cup, but relying on a 21-year-old with no pedigree in European competition to lead the line at Stamford Bridge is a gamble. Joao Pedro can play as a false nine, but his best work comes between the lines, not as a pure finisher.
And that brings us to Ekitike.
Ekitike Has Star Power—and the Stats to Back It
Ekitike is only 22 but already well-rounded and deceptively polished. He blends movement, aerial ability, and link-up play with a killer instinct in front of goal. After a rocky start at PSG, he found his footing at Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring and assisting at a promising clip. He’s already capable of 15 league goals in a season—and with the right environment, he could become a 20+ goal striker even in the Premier League.
Chelsea fans have seen the club overpay for older, injury-prone strikers in the past—hello, Romelu Lukaku. Ekitike is the anti-Lukaku: young, scalable, and hungry.
While Victor Osimhen continues to be linked, there’s a sense Chelsea are unwilling to shell out Napoli’s massive asking price for a player with recurring muscle issues. If that money is going to be spent, it may be wiser to invest in a forward like Ekitike who fits the long-term blueprint.
Frankfurt Know His Value—and So Do Chelsea
The problem? Eintracht Frankfurt aren’t selling cheap. They know Ekitike’s upside and importance to their future, and they’re demanding a hefty fee—reportedly in the €100 million range. That puts Chelsea in a tricky position financially, given their recent spending and their obligation to remain within Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
There’s only one realistic way to make room for Ekitike: Chelsea must sell Nicolas Jackson.
The Jackson Dilemma
Jackson was expected to be a breakout star when he joined from Villarreal, but he’s been an enormous frustration. Inconsistent finishing, a worrying lack of composure in the box, and a bizarre yellow card record—including five bookings for dissent—have made him a liability more often than a game-changer.
Yes, he has pace and pressing ability, and his expected goals (xG) numbers suggest some untapped potential. But Chelsea don’t need potential anymore. They need productivity.
If a good offer comes in for Jackson—especially from LaLiga, where he retains admirers—Chelsea must accept. Immediately.
He is the obstacle to Ekitike.
Ekitike Is the Upgrade—But Only If Chelsea Clear the Path
For Chelsea to complete their squad with a striker who actually fits their system and long-term philosophy, they must make a hard decision. Jackson doesn’t cut it, and he’s the financial key that unlocks the door to Hugo Ekitike.
If the Blues want to avoid another wasted season of misfiring forwards and speculative finishing, this is the move. The money that might’ve gone to Osimhen can be redirected to Ekitike—but only after Jackson leaves.
This is the only path. And if Chelsea take it, they may finally find the striker they’ve been searching for.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.