Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin believes Mauricio Pochettino might need to sacrifice Mykhaylo Mudryk if the Blues are to sign Victor Osimhen. The Premier League side desperately need a new striker, with Napoli star Osimhen strongly linked.
Nicolas Jackson has struggled for consistency since his £30m switch from Villarreal in the summer. The 22-year-old requires competition to ease the scoring burden at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have reportedly eyed £100m-rated Nigerian striker Osimhen for some time. The 24-year-old struck 26 goals last season to help Napoli win their first Serie A title in three decades.
However, Chelsea’s recent spending means they might need to recoup funds before they add another big-money signing to Pochettino’s ranks. Ex-defender Nevin believes Mudryk could be one of the players to make way.
What Nevin suggested Chelsea:
“Chelsea have bought some of the best strikers in history over the last decade or two, and it often hasn’t worked. It’s not always about the player,” the Scot told BestGamblingSites.
“Look at Alvaro Morata – he was considered too lightweight and not clinical enough for years, and look at him now. I watched him play against Scotland, and I think he’s an amazing goal scorer now. It’s a tough call to decide who comes in.
“Strikers are always top-dollar, and Chelsea have already spent a fortune on players who weren’t always worth the fee. They’ll have to spend even more to get a top-quality striker in. I thought Victor Osimhen was the man a few years ago, and I still think he is. I’d imagine he’s the one Chelsea will go for.
“Chelsea cashed in on Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, and others before, and they can do it again. It’s just business. It may not be for the fans, but it certainly is for the owners.
“A lot of teams would be interested in Mudryk! I’m not saying Chelsea should get rid of him, but Chelsea will have to sell someone if they want to get a striker as good as Osimhen in the door.
“I didn’t like seeing Mason Mount go, and I’m sure the club didn’t either, but that sale made financial sense. I’m sure similar calculations will be going on.”
Mudryk endured a tough year at Chelsea, having signed in an £88m deal from Shakhtar Donetsk in January. The Ukrainian struggled for consistency and is yet to find a regular place in Pochettino’s starting 11. He scored only two goals in 31 appearances.
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