By a lot of accounts, Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer.
Enzo Maresca has recognised the need for Chelsea to recruit competition for Nicolas Jackson up top, and Liam Delap has prevailed.
Chelsea are confident about signing Delap and the 22-year-old was probably an interested spectator on Wednesday evening when the Blues took on Real Betis in Poland.
Despite a slow start, Chelsea were eventually victorious and it was Jackson who put Maresca’s side ahead in the 70th minute.
And whilst Delap has been excellent for Ipswich at times this season, Wednesday’s final might have proved why Chelsea should be aiming slightly higher.
Liam Delap is not the right striker for Enzo Maresca
Delap is a powerful striker with a lot of potential, and there’s merit to any Diego Costa comparisons.
But if Chelsea want to put themselves back amongst the Premier League title conversation, they need to sign a clear upgrade on Jackson, not another striker of a similar level.
In a few years’ time, both Delap and Jackson might be strikers capable of spearheading a title-winning side, but they’re not right now.
Chelsea’s recruitment team are clearly so focused on buying young players with good sell-on value, a sensible business decision — and one that often works on the pitch too.
However, Maresca should be pleading with Chelsea’s decision-makers to buy a ready-made number nine, and the perfect one is on the market.
Chelsea need to launch a bid for Victor Osimhen
By this point, Chelsea fans are probably growing tired of links to Victor Osimhen.
Chelsea have been interested in Osimhen for some time and there’s often appeared to be a willingness on the striker’s side to head to Stamford Bridge as well.
Photo by Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images
READ MORE: Chelsea fans fear £26m star just doesn’t suit Enzo Maresca’s team despite him starting Europa Conference League final
But for one reason or another, a move has never prevailed, and Osimhen has just spent the season on loan at Galatasaray.
However, now is the time for Chelsea to make their move — Osimhen would take their project to the next level.
Cole Palmer was in brilliant form in Wednesday’s Conference League final and it’s hard not to get excited about the thought of the England international playing alongside Osimhen.
Perhaps Delap would benefit from Palmer’s creativity too, but it’s Osimhen who would help the former Manchester City midfielder win more silverware in west London.
Osimhen will cost £60m for interested sides this summer, a huge reduction on his asking price a few years ago.
And after Chelsea made history in Europe, they should now begin to make some memorable moves in the transfer market.