Chelsea forward Joao Pedro
Chelsea have often been criticised for their transfer business in recent seasons, as BlueCo have spent a small fortune on investing in young talents for the future.
Xabi Alonso’s arrival as manager has seen a shift in their recruitment efforts, subsequently targeting added experience and leading to a deal for striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 35-year-old has penned a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will be looking to secure a starting role under the Spaniard after netting 13 Premier League goals last term.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring their second goal
However, if the Englishman is to be a key part of Alonso’s squad, he will have to dislodge a top talent from his starting position after his own move 12 months ago.
Why Pedro could become world-class under Alonso
This summer is the second year in a row that Chelsea have stolen Brighton’s leading talisman, after paying £60m for the services of Brazilian star Joao Pedro last year.
After his subsequent move to West London, the 24-year-old assumed the role as the Blues’ starting number nine and ended last term with 23 goals across all competitions.
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Such a figure was undoubtedly more than any supporter would have imagined after his transfer, but how can Alonso help him reach the next level in his development?
The Spaniard has previous experience of taking strikers’ careers to the next level, as seen during his time at Bayer Leverkusen with Nigerian talisman Victor Boniface.
His work with the 25-year-old saw him enjoy the best goalscoring campaign of his career - subsequently scoring 21 times in his 34 outings and helping the German side go undefeated in 2023/24.
FFC ranks the best strikers in the world
FFC ranks the best strikers in the world
Since Alonso’s departure, Boniface has struggled to emulate such form in the Bundesliga - even spending last season out on loan at Werder Bremen after falling down the pecking order.
Alonso has already been complimentary of Pedro since his arrival, stating: “He’s a top striker. He can score, link play and attack space. He gives us different solutions in the final third.”
Chelsea could sign one of Europe’s best strikers
Despite the praise directed his way and the impressive form of Pedro in recent times, there is a world where Chelsea could line up in the Premier League without him this campaign.
joao pedro chelsea
Welbeck will no doubt be pushing to start ahead of the Brazilian after his arrival, with both players undoubtedly proven Premier League options for the manager.
However, the Blues’ activity in the transfer market has often thrown up countless surprises, which could see a move being prepared for Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen.
It’s been reported by CaughtOffside that the Blues are now eyeing a potential move for the Nigerian international before the current transfer window closes.
They also claim Tottenham Hotspur are pushing to land the 27-year-old, which has seen a £65m asking price placed on his head by the Turkish champions.
It’s certainly not the first time Chelsea have been credited with an interest in landing the talisman, but it remains to be seen how strong their current interest is at present.
Regardless, Alonso’s men would be landing a player who has proven himself to be world-class and more than capable of stepping up to the demands of the Premier League.
He ended last season on an impressive tally of 22 goals from his 33 appearances - subsequently outscoring Welbeck and registering one fewer goal than Pedro despite featuring in 19 fewer outings.
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Osimhen vs Pedro & Welbeck by season
Season
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
Osimhen also achieved a minute per goal average of 114 - higher than both Pedro and Welbeck - ultimately making him a better finisher than the two Blues attackers.
His 41% shot-on-target rate and average of 2.1 shots on target per 90 further highlight his dominance over the aforementioned duo who were unable to get anywhere near such tallies.
Both ranked the Nigerian talisman in the top 5% of all strikers in Europe - which undoubtedly backs up former international teammate Peter Etebo’s claim that he’s “one of the best strikers in the world.”
However, there’s more to the 27-year-old’s game than his goalscoring ability, with Osimhen also creating more chances per 90 than the current Chelsea attackers.
His aerial ability has seen him dominate countless defences across Europe, with his 56% aerial duel success rate ranking him above 85% of centre forwards on the continent.
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen reacts
Such numbers are better than those produced by Pedro and Welbeck - which could hand Alonso the focal point he’s hunting for during his first campaign in West London.
Signing another striker given the options available to the manager, could be a surprise, but there’s no denying the Nigerian is a class above the players at the Bridge.
£65m on a player of the 27-year-old’s calibre would be a superb piece of business and one which could provide the first-team with an added top-level operator in forward areas.
England's Morgan Rogers arrives at the stadium before the match
England's Morgan Rogers arrives at the stadium before the match