Chelsea Set This Napoli Striker As A Key Target: Good Decision From Pochettino?

A report from The Telegraph has indicated that Chelsea will primarily focus on Victor Osimhen for the upcoming January transfer window. The Blues aim to prioritize the Napoli striker to address their scoring challenges in the attacking zone. Mauricio Pochettino expresses a strong interest in securing Osimhen for Stamford Bridge, and multiple Italian sources suggest the striker is receptive to a January move.

The Nigerian forward’s campaign at the Italian club has been remarkably positive, characterized by a string of impactful performances as the linchpin of their offensive strategies. In his eleven outings for Napoli across various competitions this season, the 24-year-old has tallied six goals and contributed two assists.

Emerging as Napoli’s key attacking figure, Osimhen has garnered praise for maintaining an average of 4.1 shots, 0.6 key passes, and 0.5 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A. Furthermore, he has exhibited admirable passing precision, boasting a 75% success rate in Italy’s top-flight (statistics sourced from whoscored).

BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli passes the ball whilst under pressure from Berat Djimsiti of Atalanta BC during the Serie A TIM match between Atalanta BC and SSC Napoli at Gewiss Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Securing Osimhen’s services would require a substantial bid from the Blues, considering his contract with the Italian team extends until the summer of 2025. Reports indicate that a potential expenditure of around £128 million by the West London club could be made, possibly structured as an initial payment supplemented by performance-related and additional fees as part of the deal.

Osimhen demonstrates an impressive knack for exploiting spaces in the opposing team’s penalty area, showcasing his proficiency as a scorer in crucial attacking zones. Moreover, he possesses the ability to create chances for teammates and exhibits strong dribbling skills. His addition to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad could notably strengthen Chelsea’s starting lineup, providing significant attacking prowess.

At 24, Osimhen’s potential for reaching peak performance remains untapped, which could elevate Chelsea’s competitiveness for major trophies in the forthcoming seasons. Therefore, considering Osimhen represents an enticing prospect, it’s an option worth deliberating on for Chelsea.

The West London club have also shown considerable interest in Ivan Toney. However, opting for Victor Osimhen over Toney seems like a wise decision by Pochettino, who targets securing a Champions League spot and reversing the current situation. Osimhen, known for his goal-scoring prowess, could undoubtedly aid the Blues in securing a Champions League position if he is able to replicate his outstanding Serie A form in the Premier League.