Chelsea reach for chequebook (again) in bid to stop the bleeding
Striker top of wanted list as club stand by Pochettino
GIVEN what has gone before it is no surprise Chelsea are preparing to put their battered chequebook to use again this month.
It is almost as if spending close to £1billion isn’t enough.
Once more, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are willing to invest during the January transfer window in the hope of rescuing a season that has so far been a huge disappointment — Tuesday’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg loss to Middlesbrough the latest black mark.
It is pertinent to stress manager Mauricio Pochettino’s position is not believed to be under any immediate threat. Chelsea’s owners would prefer to make it through until at least the end of the season to assess the campaign as a whole before making any judgments about Pochettino’s long-term future.
Indeed, overturn the single-goal deficit in the home leg against Michael Carrick’s side in a fortnight’s time and then go on to win the final and a more positive spin would be put on the Argentine’s inconsistent first campaign in charge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea remain in the FA Cup, too, though they face Aston Villa in round four.
But not making it to Wembley and a further decline in their Premier League form could see Chelsea’s owners re-evaluate. Likewise, the fans’ patience would surely run out if results and displays don’t improve.
For now, though, the club are behind Pochettino and will spend more in the transfer market in the hope of revitalising a team who have looked devoid of fight and spirit far too often.
The manager had very little influence on the club’s summer business and is hoping for a greater say this month. If they are smart, the club’s recruitment team will listen to the Argentine.
Despite the huge investment since the American takeover, the Chelsea squad is unbalanced and in need of repair. That isn’t on Pochettino, who would not be human if he wasn’t feeling a sense of frustration. But he has no choice but to get the best out of what he has — and there will be many who will argue he hasn’t. This month, the club will target a striker and a left back.
It will be particularly interesting to see how they approach their hunt for a new forward. Chelsea have a strong interest in Napoli’s prolific striker Victor Osimhen, who has a £103million release clause.
Sources close to Osimhen have indicated to Mail Sport that the Nigeria striker is open to joining the Blues.
But that deal, given the expense, is more likely to gather pace in the summer — particularly given Osimhen is at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelsea’s need for a striker is immediate. Nicolas Jackson and attacking midfielder Cole Palmer are the team’s joint top scorers with eight goals each.
Jackson has led the line for much of the season, but there is a growing belief at Stamford Bridge that they require an upgrade on the £32m Senegal international, who is also away at AFCON.
Armando Broja is fit again after a lengthy injury lay-off, but the 22-year-old, a serial loanee, remains unproven at Chelsea with just two goals in 25 appearances.
So, although Chelsea would like to wait until the summer before making any radical changes to a squad that feels hastily chucked together, the direction of travel this season means they have entered the realms of needs must, not wait and see.