Chelsea are still discussing whether to move for a striker in January or wait until summer.
A lot of fath is placed in Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja to get the goals needed for Chelsea to return to European football.
Jackson now has six Premier League goals, including a hat-trick against Spurs, as per Transfermarkt. But it’s his off-field demeanour that has really impressed Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff. Jackson just exudes confidence behind the scenes. He is a really likeable character.
Christopher Nkunku’s return from a knee injury is also seen as important and timely. Nkunku is likely to make his debut in December despite pushing to be back in the squad for the trip to Newcastle this month.
Chelsea’s recruitment team and football staff are aligned on the instant difference he can make. And if he hits the ground running Chelsea could wait to move on a striker.
Chelsea are still sure that they would have had Harry Kane on their list
The challenge is Chelsea want an elite forward. They won’t buy for the sake of it or due to panic, like they arguably did with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when Clearlake-Boehly first joined.
Although the strategy has largely been to buy young and a little less proven, the recruitment team are exploring a slightly (mid-twenties) older and established name.
There is no doubt Harry Kane would have also been on the list if he hadn’t moved to Bayern. That’s the type of profile Chelsea want: not just someone with good numbers and potential, but a world-class finisher right now. They are few and far between, so it’s not an easy task.
Not everyone within Chelsea is convinced at this point that Ivan Toney is the solution. This is also down to his lack of football due to a ban for gambling breaches and the mid-season price. Potentially as high as £80m, that Brentford are expected to hold out for.
Victor Osimhen is another name Chelsea are keeping tabs on. There is low confidence from all suitors tracking him anything will be possible in January.
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