Osimhen
Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly has reportedly urged his former club to make another attempt to sign Victor Osimhen before the summer transfer window closes, with the Blues now facing an important decision over their attacking options following Nicolas Jackson’s departure.
Jackson has completed a permanent move to Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £65 million, bringing an end to his two-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea confirmed the transfer on Saturday, with the Senegal international leaving after scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club.
The departure has inevitably raised questions about Chelsea’s options in the centre-forward position. Liam Delap has also left for Nottingham Forest, while Joao Pedro has emerged as an important attacking option for Xabi Alonso.
Desailly reportedly believes Chelsea should take advantage of the remaining days of the transfer window to revisit their interest in Osimhen.
The Nigeria international has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and remains one of Europe’s most proven goalscorers. His combination of pace, physicality and movement would give Chelsea a different dimension in the final third.
‘Osimhen, absolutely. He brings spirit and respect, strong respect from opponents and from his teammates,’ Desailly told Metro via SportsCasting.
‘He can be a bit unpredictable sometimes, but you need that kind of player who can justify his stature and his behaviour through performance, but also through a bit of controversy. He’s strong, and he can bring that spirit to CHELSEA.
‘As for Jackson, he’s gone to Aston Villa now. Honestly, I would have brought in a proper number-nine type striker. The problem is there aren’t many strikers out there who could help CHELSEA in the long run.’
Opinion: Why Chelsea should sign Osimhen
Osimhen would provide something the Blues have arguably lacked for several seasons: a recognised elite-level No.9 capable of making himself the focal point of a Premier League attack.
While Jackson offered pace and excellent movement, his inconsistency in front of goal frequently frustrated Chelsea supporters. His 30 goals for the club demonstrate that he was capable of producing, but there were also questions about his reliability when presented with major chances.
The Nigerian is a powerful penalty-box striker who thrives on attacking crosses, running behind defensive lines and competing physically with centre-backs. His presence could also create more space for players such as Joao Pedro and CHELSEA‘s attacking midfielders.
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