Chelsea is presently grappling with a scoring predicament, navigating through a plethora of options to address their goal-scoring struggles. Among the touted solutions are Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Ballon d’Or recipient Karim Benzema, both having been presented to Chelsea. However, Manchester United reportedly declined the chance to secure one of these strikers. Despite the promising arrival of Christopher Nkunku, his impact has been hindered by injuries, exacerbating the club’s scoring woes.
The €35 million signing, Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, has contributed seven goals in the league, but his finishing and decision-making display inconsistency. Armando Broja, leading the line, has only managed two goals in 17 appearances, falling short of being considered prolific. Chelsea actively seeks a striker, with growing interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen; however, financial constraints may postpone any potential deal until the summer unless the club can generate funds through player sales.
Speculation surrounds potential sales of Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher, with Liverpool eyeing Colwill and Tottenham expressing interest in Gallagher. However, both players are crucial for Mauricio Pochettino, leading to discussions about potential loan deals to navigate through the season. Blues expert Nathan Gissing suggests that Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran has been internally discussed as a loan option.
Amidst these discussions, HITC reports the consideration of higher-profile names, including Firmino, Benzema, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, being offered to Chelsea. Firmino, seeking a return to European football, has faced challenges since joining Al-Ahli, while Benzema, a recent Ballon d’Or winner, is encountering difficulties at Al-Ittihad. Mitrovic, from Al-Hilal, is also on the table. Notably, these propositions come from intermediaries, not the clubs directly.
The report indicates that Manchester United has declined signing Benzema this month, despite their pursuit of an experienced striker. The conclusion drawn is that extraordinary circumstances, akin to Al-Ettifaq terminating Henderson’s contract, would be necessary for Mitrovic, Firmino, or Benzema to potentially join Chelsea.