Chelsea switch transfer attention to another £100m-rated striker

We all know that the Blues are seeking a new striker. The highest sources have confirmed as much. Whether the marquee signing arrives this month or in the summer remains to be seen. I would guess at the end of the season, to be frank. Different fans fancy different options, from Ivan Toney to Victor Osimhen. Yet there are apparently alternatives admired by CFC, as the report below suggests. Prising Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion might be as fruitful as it is expensive:

"Chelsea are long-term admirers of Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson.

Brighton will resist any move for the 19-year-old forward, who has just signed a contract until 2029 and could cost more than £100million.

The Seagulls are under no pressure to sell and do not want to lose another jewel to Chelsea, who they managed to persuade to pay £115m for Moises Caicedo last summer.

Brighton’s reluctance to lose another star to Chelsea is considered to be a major stumbling block to any potential future deal for Ferguson."

Middlesbrough 1-0 Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino's post-match interview

The Argentine lamented the Blues' missed chances up north after the final whistle in the Carabao Cup. The former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach also claimed that his team were better on the evening. Statistically you'd have to say that 'Poch' is probably correct there. Although, scoring is the goal, so to speak. His side have failed to achieve that too often in 2023/24.

If wastefulness is an outfit's worst feature, it could be worse in all honesty. Nevertheless, Pochettino needs his men to score at least two when the second leg takes place on January 23. Keeping clean sheets has been an easier feat for the west Londoners in this campaign.

After Hayden Hackney's finish set up a thrilling tie at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino spoke to the media. The boss wasn't as upset as some observers may have expected, though he admitted to being disappointed. He declared that the Blues must be positive in order to be decisive in the deciding match.