Chelsea: Under the radar striker to consider this summer

Chelsea rumors suggest the team may bring in a striker (or two?) with the likely departure of Olivier Giroud and the possible departure (as odd as it may be) of little-used (under Thomas Tuchel), Tammy Abraham.

All of the big names who may be, could possibly be, might be available are being linked to the Blues. These include Erling Haaland, Romelu Lukaku (for a second turn), Harry Kane (no way), and even Bundesliga mega-star, Robert Lewandowski. Any of the mentioned would be fabulous additions to any side, not to mention the goal-deprived Blues who have been victimized to the ultimate degree by the “goal-line ghost” who has kept the Blues from scoring sitter goals in bunches.

Yet, another name comes to mind that would be tens of millions cheaper, is productive, and adds another dimension that Blues’ forwards have maybe lacked since the departure of Diego Costa, a down and dirty toughness to go along with solid finishing ability. That player would be Danny Ings of Southampton.

Ings will be 29 in July, a bit older than probably optimum, but too not old. His transfermarkt value is $24.2M. The painful and ill-advised transfer of Fikayo Tomori, which will bring a paltry $26M or so, could pay that freight. Why Ings? Before getting a bit more in-depth disclosure: this writer has always liked what Ings has brought to the table in any game in which I have seen him play.

First, Ings is a proven Premier League scorer. This season for the Saints he has 12 goals and four assists in 28 appearances. That’s 16 goal involvements, a good return. He also scored in the FA Cup, so 13 goals total. He scored 22 goals in 2019/20, the last year of normality before Covid-19. That’s a nice tally of goals for any striker in the Premier League.

In addition, Ings’ contract expires in June of 2022 so that fits in nicely with a move out of Southampton. It says here that an underrated and underappreciated player like Ings may jump at the chance even to compete at a club like Chelsea. On that note, this guy is a competitor’s competitor. Ings is one tough customer and he’d be a welcome addition to Chelsea’s rather less than tough front line. I think he’d be a perfect addition whether or not the side brings in a Galactico striker. Ings will play and when he plays, he will score pretty often.

Then, there’s the price. Should Ings be the only striker that Chelsea brings into the side in the 2021 summer transfer window, they’ll still be OK. Expect Timo Werner to have far better goal-scoring production next season once he fully settles in and that nasty, “goal-line ghost” takes a powder. The crowd’s reaction to Werner during the Leicester City game shows their appreciation for a player who gives his all, is very productive but is just a tad off in his scoring. That fan blast will help the German Flash excel in 2021/22. He’s going to score and if the Blues bring in say Didier Drogba to help to get Werner “on sides”, it could help immeasurably and wind up leading to an easy 20-goal or more season.

So, that’s an outside-the-box thought on a striker who won’t break the bank but may just help the Blues score some goals that they have been leaving on the proverbial table in 2020/21. Ings is a top professional who has labored mostly in the shadows all of his career. I’d like to see Chelsea take a chance on such a player who possesses the necessary addition of toughness with the requisite scoring flair to make a difference. It says here, the Blues won’t regret it.

What do you think of bringing Ings into the side? Love to hear your comments.