Chelsea may have secured Champions League qualification courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday but they won't get very far in the competition unless they significantly improve their centre-forward options.
Nicolas Jackson managed a grand total of 12 goals across 33 matches this term. Injury issues have limited his impact, but the general feeling is that Jackson isn’t of the required quality to help steer the Blues back to winning trophies.
When Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, the Stamford Bridge side enjoyed its finest era, winning two Champions League titles and five Premier League crowns.
Despite the success, Chelsea have had their fair share of centre-forwards who have flopped under the weight of expectation in London.
Indeed, Fernando Torres (45 goals in 172 matches), Andriy Shevchenko (22 goals in 77 matches) and Mateja Kezman (seven goals in 41 matches) all arrived at the club with plenty of hype, yet failed to deliver.
chelsea-fernando-torres-celebrates-premier-league
Add in the likes of Alvaro Morata, Timo Werner and Michy Batshuayi, and it soon becomes clear that Chelsea have a major problem with getting the best out of the strikers they have bought since 2003.
Some are exceptions to the norm though. With one name standing out among the rest like a beacon of hope – Didier Drogba.
How Didier Drogba destroyed the Premier League
Drogba came to José Mourinho’s attention way before he became the manager of Chelsea in 2004. During a game between Mourinho’s Porto and Drogba’s Marseille in the 2003/04 Champions League, the enigmatic Portuguese manager was enamoured by the striker’s performance.
He scored during that game and when Mourinho ended up at Chelsea a few months later, Drogba was one of his first signings, costing a staggering £24m, which at the time was a massive fee for a player who had spent just one season with Marseille.
Drogba-Chelsea-Premier-League
In the end, it turned out to be a bargain. His first campaign didn’t quite go to plan, but from 2005/06 onwards, Drogba scored 13 or more goals in every season until he departed in the summer of 2012.
The Ivorian won four FA Cups, three Premier League trophies and the Champions League during his first spell with the Blues. Add in a handful of other domestic cups, and it is clear Drogba is a Chelsea legend.
Who can forget his performance in the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich in their backyard? If scoring an equaliser with minutes to go wasn’t enough, the forward joined the pantheon of icons at the club by netting the winner in the penalty shootout.
He returned for a second spell during 2014/15, winning a Premier League and League Cup double, a fitting way for him to depart.
Others have come and gone trying to replicate Drogba’s eye for goal and match-winning performances in major finals, but no one has come close, yet.
Didier-Drogba-Chelsea-Stats (timeless)
Could this all change during the summer transfer window? As Enzo Maresca is eyeing a move for a striker that might change the club’ fortunes.
Chelsea keen on signing Drogba 2.0
The Stamford Bridge side have been linked with their fair share of strikers, and the window isn’t even open yet.
Joao Pedro is the latest name to be touted for a move to London. While Liam Delap is available for just £30m after Ipswich Town were relegated. Victor Osimhen is still a reported target for the Blues, who missed out on him last summer.
Journalist Miguel Delaney of the Independent has now stated that the Blues are keen on signing Hugo Ekitike this summer, saying: "Chelsea now strongly considering Ekitike, as they hone striker pursuit after Champions League qualification." In a follow up report, he noted that the Blues are now 'extensively discussing a move' for the forward.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Now that a seat at the top table of European football has been secured, Chelsea are keen on improving their squad.
They will have to splash money in bringing Ekitike to London, however, as he would likely cost around £85m.
Given the financial rewards on offer for playing in Europe’s premier competition next season, this fee might be something Maresca could pay, especially as he is in dire need of a new striker.
Ekitike FBRef stats
Could he replicate the feats of a certain Drogba? Ekitike has all the required tools to do so, that’s for sure.
Why Chelsea must sign Hugo Ekitike
Respected analyst Ben Mattinson ensured plenty of European heavyweights were on standby this summer by lauding the striker in March.
“A move in the summer seems inevitable and rightly so, Ekitiké is one of the best strikers out there ready to explode," he said.
Across 48 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt, the Frenchman scored 22 goals while registering 12 assists in all competitions. Not just a typical number nine, but also a player who is keen to link up well with others and generate chances for his teammates.
Hugo Ekitike's statistics this season
Metric
Goals
Assists
Big chances created
Sots per 90
Goal conversion percentage
Via Sofascore
Drogba was also a well-rounded centre-forward, recording 82 assists over his 381 games for the Blues.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the former PSG centre-forward has been a standout performer.
Indeed, not only does he rank in the top 6% for total shots (3.74) and shot-creating actions (3.5) per 90 over the previous 12 months, he also ranks in the top 9% for assists (0.29) per 90.
Additionally, Ekitike also ranks in the top 6% for progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the attacking penalty area. It is evident that he possesses the skills which could make him a big success in the Premier League.
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Notably described as the "next Mbappe" by journalist Graeme Bailey, like Drogba, he would be making a move from a respected team in a top-five European league following a successful campaign.
With an insatiable eye for goal and a selfless nature in the final third, Ekitike exudes many of the qualities that endeared Drogba to the Chelsea faithful during his two spells in London.
Should the French sensation move to Chelsea, he might have a lot of living up to do. Given his displays for Frankfurt, this might not be a problem.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca Related
[£60m CB among Chelsea's top targets; he's "one of the best" in England](https://www.footballfancast.com/60m-marc-guehi-chelsea-top-targets-one-best-england/ "£60m CB among Chelsea's top targets; he's "one of the best" in England")
The Blues have identified a centre-back as a key target for the summer, but there could be competition for his signature.