Former Chelsea player and BT Sport pundit Eniola Aluko believes that the Blues should be looking to sign Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen.
Aluko compared the striker to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, with fellow BT Sport pundits Owen Hargreaves and Glenn Hoddle also raving about the player after he scored against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League round of 16. Hargreaves believes that he ‘has everything’ at just 24 years old.
Chelsea Should Look to Sign Victor Osimhen
"Get the chequebook out!" 😂
Owen Hargreaves, Eni Aluko and Glenn Hoddle are over the moon about the potential prospect of Victor Osimhen gracing the Premier League… 🤩
🎙️ @ReshminTV pic.twitter.com/9XGdwjUyiX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 21, 2023
Hargreaves: ‘He Has Everything’
Osimhen has shone for Napoli this season, leading the goalscoring charts in Serie A and propelling the two-time Scudetto champions to the top of the league. He has been linked with a move to the Premier League though, with Manchester United and Chelsea both rumoured to be interested.
After scoring again against Eintracht Frankfurt, Owen Hargreaves stated on Tuesday night that the 24-year-old is the next £100 million player, and believes that clubs like Chelsea should be fighting to sign the Nigerian.
“You think about Manchester United or Chelsea, a lot of teams would be desperate to have this guy,” Hargreaves said.
“He has everything. He’s got size, he’s got speed, he’s got strength. 19 goals in 23 appearances. Those numbers are top top numbers.”
Aluko: Osimhen Would Suit Chelsea
Fellow BT Sport pundits Aluko and Hoddle were quick to follow up on Hargreaves’ praise. Aluko, who made 101 appearances for Chelsea and scored 47 goals, then went on to state that Osimhen is what the club needs.
“A big comparison is to Didier Drogba,” Aluko said.
“They’ve spent all this money, but that’s the type of striker I think that would suit Chelsea. Owen said it, he is probably the next big striker.
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“His goal record… 19 goals, seven in the last seven games. And he’s got an amazing relationship with [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia. That forward line with [Hirving] Lozano on the other side is absolutely amazing.”
“It looks as if he plays for the team,” Hoddle added. “There are times where you think he’s going to try and score and he’s laid people on.
“He’s done the right thing for the team which is a massive added bonus for a striker, normally they’re so single minded. But this kid plays for everyone.”
Chelsea in Need of a Striker
The Nigerian goalscorer could be the solution to Chelsea’s lack of goals and Graham Potter certainly needs one. While the 24-year-old has been dazzling in Serie A, the Blues have had a dismal season. They are languishing in tenth currently and pressure is starting to mount on Potter despite him only being appointed in September.
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The problem has been scoring, specifically a lack of it. In Chelsea’s last five games, they have amassed 7.9 expected goals from 73 shots. But they have only managed to hit the back of the net once.
Chelsea's expected goals in their last 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 games
🔹 Shots – 73
🔹 xG – 7.9
🔹 Goals – 1 pic.twitter.com/oB3SGDAFXT— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 21, 2023
Signing Osimhen in the summer could therefore turn Potter’s side into title contenders next season. But if the coach does not turn things around soon, there is a chance he will not be there in the summer to push the signing through.
