Chelsea chiefs are actively looking at new striker options ahead of the summer transfer window, and it is believed a pacey Champions League striker is on their shortlist of potential targets as BlueCo decide how far they’d be willing to go for his signature.
Chelsea identifying summer centre-forward targets
Enzo Maresca is currently paying the price for Chelsea’s lack of forward signings in January, with Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke out injured long-term.
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There’s been apparent unrest behind-the-scenes.
Chelsea have just Christopher Nkunku as their only real number nine option, with Maresca also trying to get the best out of Cole Palmer following the England star’s recent drop in form at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
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Aston Villa (away) |
February 22nd |
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Southampton (home) |
February 25th |
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Leicester City (home) |
March 9th |
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Arsenal (away) |
March 16th |
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Tottenham (home) |
April 2nd |
Palmer played as a false nine during their 3-0 defeat at Brighton last week, and Nkunku ultimately failed to make any real impact. Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target against the Seagulls, with co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley now looking to ensure that the west Londoners are not left in such a precarious position next season.
According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips recently, Chelsea have laid a lot of groundwork over a potential summer deal for Liam Delap, but the Ipswich Town sensation is by no means their only target.
“Chelsea have now laid down significant groundwork to sign Liam Delap in the summer,” wrote Phillips on his Substack.
“There are no claims of this being a pre-deal agreed or anything yet, but a lot of the work was done in the January window when Chelsea spoke to Ipswich Town and the agents of the player on a number of occasions.
Source says Chelsea continue to hold talks with Benjamin Sesko’s people and have kept that line open as well, and there is still dream interest in Alexander Isak. However, on the latter, our source says that any deal for Isak would be too expensive, and the player is also happy at Newcastle.
“Those are just two striker names mentioned as alternatives to Delap, but Chelsea are also talking with other strikers as well as all of the above. Interest remains also in Viktor Gyokeres.”
In terms of other names, Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface is another option believed to be attracting attention from Cobham.
Chelsea prepared to pay £58 million for Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface
The Nigerian played a crucial role in helping Leverkusen to an historic unbeaten Bundesliga title last season, bagging 21 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, and he’s continued in similarly good form this campaign despite some injury problems.
According to a Spanish media source, Chelsea are prepared to pay £58 million for Boniface this summer, and it is believed they view him as an ideal profile to strengthen Maresca’s attacking options.
It is also stated that a bid in the region of that amount would be difficult for Xabi Alonso’s side to pass up, so this could be one to watch heading into next season.
“Victor’s a real problem for opposition defences. He’s powerful, quick and makes runs from deep,” said Alonso on Boniface. “He has a good mentality and works for the team, not for himself.”
