Chelsea target up-and-coming EPL striker while Toney mulls

Chelsea are reportedly in the market for another striker come next year. According to Football Insider and the Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Blues are monitoring the emergence of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The 19-year-old has five goals in eleven league appearances for the Seagulls this season and is currently one of the best young strikers in world football.

Chelsea target up-and-coming EPL striker as Ivan Toney mulls

Another striker that CFC have been linked with is Brentford’s Ivan Toney.  However, reports of a potential move to Stamford Bridge for the 28-year-old marksman have gone cold. Concerns about Toney’s age, the fact that he hasn’t played top-flight football since last season due to his ban and the possibility of Brentford demanding an exorbitant asking price, could have split opinions in the Blues camp. The England international is also reportedly in talks for a new contract with Brentford and could rule out a move altogether at least until the summer.

Victor Osimhen is another name constantly linked with a move to the Bridge. A world class player of the Nigerian striker’s caliber would likely be the number one target for the Blues up top. Yet, the concern is, and will forever be, the feasibility of getting a deal done with the supposed €150m price tag Napoli have set if Osimhen is to depart Naples.

Would Evan Ferguson be the ideal striker target for Chelsea then? At 19, he fits the bill of the new ownership’s target demographic for young signings and certainly has the ability to succeed in West London. However, considering this is an all too familiar negotiating foe in Brighton, the asking price will definitely be steep. Ferguson is talented no doubt, but at his age the signing would still be a risk.

Chelsea already currently have strikers similar to the Brighton man’s profile. Despite his inconsistent finishing, Nicolas Jackson was on a run of amazing form before the international break and currently leads the Blues in goals this season with 7. CFC fans are also still holding out on the potential of Armando Broja. Young forwards signed by the new ownership like Deivid Washington, David Datro Fofana, and Dujuan Richards still remain on the club books. Christopher Nkunku’s return from injury also adds to Mauricio Pochettino’s options up top.

If Chelsea are going for a striker next year, it’s a move they can’t afford to get wrong. From Didier Drogba to Diego Costa, the Blues’ silver-winning eras have come when they have a lethal goal scorer up top.  The No.9 target, whoever it may be, needs to be picked not based on the potential that they can deliver but a certitude anchored on their experience that they certainly will. Luckily, it seems that dilemma can wait, as Pochettino has temporarily eased CFC’s goal scoring woes with 16 goals in the Blues last 6 matches. If Christopher Nkunku can carry on his Bundesliga top scorer prowess and Nicolas Jackson continues to be the team’s leading scorer, we won’t need to have yet another new striker discourse once the transfer window opens.