Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Victor Osimhen “ticks a lot of boxes” for Chelsea with the Blues holding an interest in the striker.
The Lowdown: Chelsea lurking
According to 90min, the Blues have began looking at new striking options for next summer with the Napoli goalscorer on the list.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unlikely to be the long-term forward at Stamford Bridge despite the former Arsenal captain registering three goals in nine games, the 33-year-old is yet to complete the full 90 minutes once this season.
The Blues also have Romelu Lukaku out on loan for the season at Inter Milan but according to the report, manager Graham Potter isn’t planning on bringing him into the squad next term.
This has opened the door to speculation that owner Todd Boehly may move for the £58.5m-valued Nigerian who has bagged five goals in nine games for the Serie A and Champions League Group A toppers.
The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke feels Osimhen would be an ideal number nine for Potter with him boasting key attributes which would see him succeed in England’s top flight.
“He’s a prolific goalscorer in the Champions League for Napoli as well as in Serie A. I think Osimhen has got the attributes to be a big success in the Premier League.
“He’s powerful, strong, fast and he obviously knows where the goal is. For Chelsea, he ticks a lot of boxes,” he said.
The Verdict: Bring him in
The 23-time Nigerian international is a proven goal scorer, bagging 15 times with eight assists for the Super Eagles, along with 20 assists and 71 goals in just 161 career appearances.
Making his name at only 21 for French side Lille, he spent one season in the North of France where he scored 18 in 38 games in his solitary season with the club before earning a move to Naples in a club record deal worth €80m (£69m) in 2020.
Osimhen stands at 6 foot 1, with the dynamo ranking in the top 32% for aerial duels won amongst fellow strikers in the top five leagues in Europe with 2.37 per 90 minutes, (via FBref) he will have no problem adapting to the physicality of the Premier League, whilst seasoned veteran Aubameyang is in the bottom 14% with 0.61 aerial duels won per 90.
The recipient of the Best Young Player of the 2021/22 Serie A season award, also fires off an incredible 4.29 shots per 90, leaving him in the top 2% of strikers, higher than the Gabon international’s already impressive 3.07 shots per 90, showing he would be a confident presence at the point of Potter’s system.
