Chelsea are not afraid to spend big money to acquire some of the best up-and-coming talents. Two examples of that are currently playing in their midfield, namely Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. They joined the club within several months of each other in 2023.
World Cup winner Fernandez was a British record signing in February of that year. Just months after lifting the prestigious prize with Argentina, he moved from Benfica to Chelsea for £107m. However, that record was smashed by Caicedo in mid-August, who cost the Blues £115m including add-ons from Brighton and Hove Albion.
So, their midfield has been constructed having spent plenty of money, and perhaps they will do the same to their attack this season, given they have been linked to several expensive strikers.
Chelsea’s pursuit of a new striker
The West London outfit clearly have one target in mind for the summer transfer window, and that is to sign a new striker. In a recent report, BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella linked them with some of Europe’s most sought-after talent, including Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesko.
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Kinsella has also said that the Blues are also considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. He is one of the strikers that the club have not ‘ruled out’ signing over the next few months in the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman, along with some of the other names above, are ‘considered quality options’ by Chelsea. However, they will not be the only Premier League giant making a move for Ekitike.
In recent days, GIVEMESPORT have claimed that Liverpool could also look to sign him, with a reported £84m his price tag should either side make a move.
Why Ekitike would be a good signing
It has been an excellent season for France U21 international Ekitike. The striker, who was born in Reims and came through their academy, was described as “inevitable” by football scout Antonio Mango, which shows how well his season has gone.
In 47 games so far this term, Ekitike has managed to find the back of the net 22 times, grabbing 11 assists along the way, too. Of those, he has registered 22 goal involvements in 32 games in the Bundesliga, showing excellent consistency throughout the campaign.
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker is a man for the big occasion, having scored some crucial goals this season. He has bagged against Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, whilst scoring in the Europa League knockout rounds against Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur.
Should the Blues agree on a deal to bring Ekitike to Stamford Bridge this summer, he could prove to be an excellent alternative to another reported target, Brighton star Joao Pedro.
According to a report from Telegraph reporter Sam Dean, Chelsea are one of three sides ‘showing interest’ in the Brazilian, alongside Arsenal and Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has had an impressive season down on the South Coast. In 27 Premier League games this term, he has managed ten goals and six assists, which included one of each against Manchester City in a 2-1 win back in November.
As the goal involvement numbers show, both Ekitike and Pedro are well-rounded centre forwards. However, the stats via FBref suggest the Frenchman is slightly better. For example, he averages 3.64 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, compared to 3.32 each game for Pedro.
Goals and assists
0.80
0.74
Goals per shot on target
0.34
0.33
Key passes
1,56
1.39
Shot-creating actions
3.64
3.32
Successful take-ons
1.89
1.34
Progressive carries
3.31
3.06
Ball recoveries
3.05
2.73
While both players are strikers who can score and create goals, which will certainly add a new potency to Chelsea’s attack, it does seem that Ekitike is the better option. The ability to carry the ball more efficiently should also be of great appeal to the decision makers at Stamford Bridge.
£84m is a big investment for the 22-year-old, but considering sections of the media believe he “could be the next Mbappe” and that he’s better than Pedro, it seems like a deal they cannot miss out on.
Their best winger since Hazard: Chelsea in talks for £85m "big game player"
Chelsea could make a blockbuster addition in attack
ByJoe NuttallMay 15, 2025
