Chelsea icon Pat Nevin believes that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen could be the solution to the Blues’ scoring struggles, suggesting the potential sale of Mykhaylo Mudryk as a means to finance the deal.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team has faced recurring issues in converting chances, evident in their recent 2-1 loss to Manchester United, wherein several clear-cut opportunities were squandered, including those by Nicolas Jackson.
Despite Jackson’s arrival from Villarreal for £32 million in the summer and his six Premier League goals, Nevin feels he should have netted more, given the chances he’s had. Nevin insists that Chelsea urgently needs a proficient striker and suggests Osimhen as a prime choice.
Nevin acknowledges financial fair play restrictions that might complicate the deal but believes Chelsea has previously offloaded players like Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic for the sake of business, despite potential fan disapproval.
Reflecting on Chelsea’s history with high-value strikers, Nevin highlights the risk in such signings. He emphasizes the necessity of spending significantly to secure a top-quality striker and expresses continued confidence in Osimhen as the ideal candidate for Chelsea.
Osimhen’s commendable record of six goals in ten Serie A games this season, coupled with his role in guiding Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, bolsters Nevin’s belief in the player’s prowess. Despite Napoli slapping a hefty £120 million price tag on Osimhen, reports suggest Chelsea’s strong determination to acquire the Nigerian striker and potentially break their transfer record for him.
While acknowledging Mudryk’s value and potential interest from other teams, Nevin implies that Chelsea might need to part ways with a player like Mudryk to facilitate the arrival of a striker of Osimhen’s caliber. He draws parallels with the previous sale of Mount, citing that while it might not align with the fans’ desires, such decisions often make financial sense for the club.