There were projections of a striker merry-go-round this summer with some of the Premier League’s leading clubs keen on acquiring their number nine for the future.
Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea were among the clubs in the market for a sharp-shooter, but thus far, no major reshuffle has taken place. Arsenal have drifted away having missed on out Benjamin Sesko, Man Utd moved efficiently to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, while Chelsea took the opportunity to buy Marc Guiu for a bargain price.
While Nicolas Jackson offered glimmers during his debut campaign, the former Villarreal forward remains a raw profile unlikely to take Enzo Maresca’s side to the next level. The Italian manager can also call upon Christopher Nkunku in a withdrawn role, and Guiu has shown promise during pre-season.
Still, Chelsea remain in the striker market and have been linked with a litany of names. Here’s how 90min ranks their reported targets.
5. Samu Omorodion
Omorodion impressed on loan at Deportivo Alaves last season / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages
Chelsea have supposedly already had a fairly hefty £42m bid rejected by Atletico Madrid for Omorodion’s services after the 20-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign on loan at Deportivo Alaves last season.
The striker made 21 La Liga starts and scored nine times.
The young forward is an imposing figure standing at 6’4, but he’s also an impressive channel runner as a result of his swift turn of pace. The Spaniard’s athletic profile is freakish; one capable of instilling fear into any defence.
Omorodion has also shown an ability to outwit defenders with crafty box movement and there’s no doubt that he could blossom into something quite brilliant. However, is this the striker Chelsea need right now?
The 20-year-old, like Jackson, is incredibly raw. He underperformed his expected goals (xG) by 2.5 in La Liga last season and is far from the finished article in front of goal. His combination and hold-up play require refinement, and there are question marks over the striker’s defensive contribution.
Omorodion needs time to grow and develop, but the demanding Stamford Bridge faithful are unlikely to show much patience.
4. Jhon Duran
Duran was a difference-maker off the bench for Aston Villa last season / Alex Livesey – Danehouse/GettyImages
Duran certainly hasn’t hidden his desire to leave Aston Villa this summer having spent just a season in the West Midlands. The Colombian striker played second fiddle to the prolific Ollie Watkins, racking up a mere 475 Premier League minutes across 23 appearances.
He did, however, score five times and this impressive scoring rate seems to have inflated the 20-year-old’s ego considerably. Duran has spoken about joining a “bigger” club than the Champions League-bound Villans, with the player oddly keen to join West Ham – who aren’t in Europe next season having finished 16 points behind Villa in ninth.
Chelsea’s interest in Duran has cooled, but the Blues were certainly involved in the race at one point and they could pivot back to the Colombian before the window draws to a close.
Boasting supreme ball-striking and overwhelming physicality, Duran could function as an effective focal point in the Premier League. The sample size, though, is small.
3. Jonathan David
The Canadian international has perpetually been linked with a move away from Lille / Omar Vega/GettyImages
David has been perpetually linked with a move away from Lille ever since he helped the French club to the Ligue 1 title in 2020/21.
The Canadian star has been prolific ever since, and he enters this summer having scored 43 league goals over the previous two campaigns. There’s a sense that the time has come for David to enjoy a new challenge. Despite his 19-goal campaign last time out, Lille could only muster a Europa League berth for the upcoming season.
As well as being prolific, David is an efficient connector at the top of the pitch. He can function as a multi-faceted #9; one adept at stretching the pitch and challenging defences in behind, but capable of dropping in to link and combine, too. His profile should suit Maresca, and supporters will be keen to hear that he’s never underperformed his xG in a single season at a senior level. David’s a sharp finisher.
On the whole, the 24-year-old is a ‘good’ striker unlikely to flop drastically in the Premier League, but his ceiling isn’t as high as Chelsea’s alternatives.
2. Ivan Toney
Toney still hopes to depart Brentford this summer / Inaki Esnaola/GettyImages
Brentford are making a bit of a meal out of the Ivan Toney situation and risk losing their most prized asset for nothing next summer. The injury sustained by Toney’s potential replacement Igor Thiago in pre-season may render the Bees more hesitant to sell.
Several Premier League clubs remain interested in the England international, including Chelsea.
Some, like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, have been deterred by Toney’s swagger, but the Englishman’s unmatched self-confidence and ruthless mentality are traits this vulnerable Chelsea dressing room could do with.
He requires runners to be at his apex, but Toney has all the minerals to thrive at a big London club. He’s an excellent outlet and a constant threat in the opposition’s box. Similar to Cole Palmer, Toney’s an attacker who simply makes things happen – in a different way to Palmer, of course.
If Brentford are willing to sell to their west London rivals in a cut-price deal, Chelsea should be all over it.
1. Victor Osimhen
There’s yet to be much movement on the Osimhen front / Alessandro Sabattini/GettyImages
Just how much Chelsea are willing to spend on their number nine for the future remains to be seen. If they want to acquire the best option on the market, Todd Boehly will have to break the bank.
Despite the arrival of Antonio Conte in Naples, Osimhen is set to leave the 2022/23 Scudetto winners this summer. No club has emerged as a clear favourite in the sweepstake, with PSG’s interest reportedly cooling and others hesitant to match Napoli‘s valuation – believed to be around the £100m mark.
Osimhen endured a frustrating campaign last time out, but that doesn’t take away from his game-breaking profile. The Nigerian forward boasts some similarities to Omorodion and does require some improvement when linking play, but his distinct strengths outweigh any flaws.
Osimhen is a special athlete who’s one of the best channel runners in the game. He can out-leap any defender, and is relentless in completing any action. He simply won’t stop.
The Napoli striker generates a lot of shots, scores a lot of goals, and is the level-raiser Chelsea need to lead their line.
