Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas says his former club will bring in “one world-class striker” when the transfer window reopens.
Speaking to Lord Ping before the Blues’ 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, Gallas said that Nicolas Jackson has demonstrated that he can’t be trusted to lead the line. He suspects that the club’s sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart have already decided to sign a replacement:
“I really wanted to give Nicolas Jackson the chance to prove that he had the ability to be Chelsea’s main striker and lead the line next season. This is his first year in the Premier League and he is a young player, but for him to prove that he is good enough to be the main striker at Chelsea, he needs to score a minimum of 15-20 goals. I said that at the start of the season.”
“His performances haven’t been good enough for the club to trust him with being the main striker at Chelsea next season. When you have the opportunity to play in almost every game, you have to take it. You have to score more goals.”
“If you’re the owner or the Sporting Director of Chelsea, and you see your striker miss three big chances – chances that he should have scored – in the FA Cup semi-final, then your first priority is going to be signing a world-class striker in the summer. Next season, I’m sure that Chelsea will bring in one world-class striker. For me, Jackson can’t complain about losing his place in the team. He has had so many chances to stake his claim (as the club’s main striker). He has had his opportunity, and he hasn’t grasped it.”
Jackson’s poor finishing could cost him his place at Chelsea
Gallas is right to point to the Senegalese international’s woes in front of goal as being a big issue. The forward has scored 3.9 fewer goals than his xG this season. It shows that he is far from an elite finisher.
In contrast, teammate Cole Palmer has scored 5.1 more goals than his xG in the Premier League.
Which striker could the club sign this summer?
Many fans are still hoping that the Blues will trigger the release clause in Victor Osimhen‘s contract. However, the Napoli forward could cost in excess of £110m. Considering there are concerns about complying with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, that move may be unrealistic.
Alternative targets include the likes of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Lille’s Jonathan David, Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.
