Chelsea’s transfer targets consist mainly of strikers this January, which comes as no surprise given their wasteful shooting this season.
The Blues have so far had a terrible campaign, and are currently tenth in the Premier League table. With just 28 points from 20 games, manager Mauricio Pochettino is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge.
It’s therefore expected that owner Todd Boehly will dip into the transfer market once more this window. The American businessman took charge of the club in 2022, and has so far spent more than £1 billion on new signings.
But if there’s one area Chelsea need to improve, it’s in the striker department. They are among the league leaders in expected goals (xG), with 41.96, but have scored just 34.
The almost eight-goal difference between expected and actual goals is the third-worst in the division, and highlights their inability to finish the chances they create.
Even top scorer Cole Palmer only has eight Premier League goals. While a good return for a youngster in his first season at a new club, it’s hardly what Chelsea need for Champions League qualification.
Who Will Chelsea Buy In January?
With that in mind, most of Chelsea’s transfer targets are reportedly attackers. However, a few names have emerged as potential defensive signings.
Antonio Silva is a 20-year-old defender that’s been linked heavily with a move to Manchester United.
But with Fabrizio Romano confirming United have extended contracts for both Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chelsea are reportedly looking to hijack any potential deal for Silva.
🚨🔴 After Lindelof, Manchester United have activated the option to extend Aaron Wan-Bissaka until June 2025.
The extension is on the verge of being completed, as Mail Sport reported.
Man United were planning with Hannibal, AWB and Lindelof’s contracts to be extended. pic.twitter.com/0u4oAFKPUQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2024
The Benfica starlet has played 23 times for his club this season, and is already a full Portuguese international, with seven caps. Chelsea have been told they must meet Silva’s £87m release clause in order to secure the defender.
Another man who may be moving to Stamford Bridge is Jean-Clair Todibo. The highly-rated Nice defender has made 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
Also pursued by Tottenham and Manchester United, Chelsea would need to make a very lucrative offer in order to tempt Nice into a sale.
The French club are reluctant to sell in January, with Todibo making such a strong start to the season.
Chelsea Striker Targets
As for Chelsea’s striker targets, there are two main men in the frame. Victor Osimhen’s Chelsea move has been on the cards for at least a year, with the Napoli front-man constantly linked to the Blues.
With 57 Serie A goals in 96 appearances, Osimhen has been ripping up trees in Italy for several years. Any transfer would command a significant fee, but social media rumours suggest the Nigerian wouldn’t be opposed to a move.
Victor Osimhen has dropped a huge hint on which team he'd like to sign for next, as the Napoli star reacts to a childhood photo of himself in a Chelsea kit 👀🔵 pic.twitter.com/MtJWsegAdS
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 29, 2023
Images of Osimhen in a Chelsea shirt as a child have sparked fresh interest. But while he may well have a soft spot for the club, wether he will join them this month remains to be seen.
With Osimhen in the Nigeria squad for this year’s AFCON tournament, a deal may be impractical to negotiate in January.
Should Osimhen not join Chelsea, there are other options. Brentford’s Ivan Toney is another potential Chelsea signing, having been linked for a while.
The England international was the Premier League’s third-highest scorer last season, netting 20 times. But with Toney not playing for eight months due to a gambling suspension, he may need time to regain form.
Brentford reportedly want close to £100 million for the striker, so he won’t come cheap either. Reports suggest Chelsea will need to be more careful with their spending, so may look elsewhere.
Other options include RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. Former Coventry striker Victor Gyorkeres was touted as a potential option, but any move for him is now off it seems.
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