Chelsea's Striker Dilemma: Top Targets to Propel the Blues to the Summit of European Football

FC Barcelona v SSC Napoli: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
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Victor Osimhen
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Victor  osimhen 

Osimhen led Napoli to their first league title in 33 years last season, scoring 26 goals and providing a further five assists in 32 league appearances. The Nigerian striker, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, will be on the move this summer as he has done all he can at Naples.

Case for Osimhen

Osimhen is arguably Europe's most wanted striker at this moment. Top European teams like Manchester United, PSG and Arsenal are ready to battle it out for the striker’s signature in the summer. Despite the chaos in Naples this season, his participation in the African Cup of Nations and his injury lay-off, Osimhen has managed a decent 14 goal contributions in 17 appearances this season. If that output is a decent one, we can imagine what a superb player his next suitors will have. Before this season, the Nigerian striker has scored 50 league goals in just 63 appearances since 2020/21 season. And at 25, Osimhen is yet to reach the peak of his career. In addition, Osimhen has a wealth of experience in Europe which will come in handy for this young Chelsea side.

Reasons to be cautious

A few strikers with huge prospects have struggled at Chelsea in the last two decades. A successful campaign in Italian Serie A does not equate to top performances in the premiership. Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuaín, Andriy Shevchenko and Alvaro Morata come to mind in this scenario.

Targets league goal involvements this season

Player involvements

Toney

Osimhen

Gyokeres

Appearance

10

17

24

Goal

4

11

22

Assist

0

3

10

Goal Involvement

4

14

32

Involvement/game

0.40

0.82

1.33