Could Chelsea finally be on the verge of landing the striker they desperately need? Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy is urging the club to make a move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, calling him a "Premier League ready" player who could make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge. But with a reported £86 million price tag, is Alvarez the right fit for the Blues?
Quick Stats
- Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid): 40 goals in 88 appearances
- Reported Alvarez Price Tag: £86 million
- Emmanuel Emegha (Strasbourg): Joining Chelsea in the summer
- Joao Pedro (Chelsea): Matched his previous season's Premier League goal tally
Chelsea's Striker Search Continues
Alvarez: The "Off The Peg" Solution?
Chelsea's attacking woes have been well-documented, and Cundy believes Alvarez could be the answer. He sees the Argentinian as an "off the peg type of player" [1]—someone who can slot straight into the team without a lengthy adaptation period. With the Blues signing five attackers last summer, the pressure is on to find a reliable goalscorer to lead the line."When we talk about what Chelsea need, we often talk about an off the peg type of player, Julian Alvarez fits that type of player that we need," Cundy told talkSPORT. "That is the type of player I’d like us to sign more of. He’s Premier League ready."
Alvarez, 26, has been linked with other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, making the potential transfer battle even more interesting. Since arriving from Manchester City, Alvarez has bagged 40 goals in 88 appearances for Atletico [1].
Emegha's Arrival: Another Unproven Talent?
While the Alvarez rumors swirl, Chelsea already have a new striker on the way. Emmanuel Emegha, who scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season, is set to join the club from Strasbourg this summer [1].However, some fans may be hesitant to place too much hope on another unproven signing. "The 23-year-old provides another option, but again like so many of Chelsea’s signings he’s not a proven entity, and it will be interesting to see how he adapts," reports OneFootball.
Joao Pedro has matched his previous season's Premier League goal tally, while Liam Delap has struggled to make an impact [1]. The pressure is on for Chelsea to find a striker who can consistently find the back of the net.
Osimhen: A Potential Alternative?
Another name linked with Chelsea is Victor Osimhen. Cundy believes Osimhen possesses the characteristics to thrive at Stamford Bridge. "He’s a Chelsea type of striker. He’s a little bit raw. He’s a little bit unorthodox," Cundy said [3].Osimhen has been tearing it up on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 36 goals in 40 games across all competitions [3]. Napoli are expected to sell him this summer, but Chelsea will have to negotiate to meet his wage demands [3].
Chelsea fans are already dreaming of a Pedro Neto-Osimhen partnership in attack [3]. But with so many options, it is unclear who the Blues will eventually land.
By The Numbers
- £86 million: The reported price tag for Julian Alvarez [1]. This would be a significant investment for Chelsea, raising questions about Financial Fair Play and squad balance.
- 40 goals: Alvarez's goal tally in 88 appearances for Atletico Madrid [1]. This demonstrates his goal-scoring ability at a high level, but can he replicate that in the Premier League?
- 14 goals: Emegha's goal tally in Ligue 1 last season [1]. While promising, it remains to be seen if he can translate that form to the more competitive Premier League.
What To Watch Next
- Chelsea's transfer activity: Keep an eye on Chelsea's transfer dealings in the coming months. Will they make a concrete offer for Alvarez, or will they focus on developing Emegha?
- Alvarez's performances: Track Alvarez's performances for Atletico Madrid. A strong finish to the season could further increase his value and attract more suitors.
- Other striker targets: Osimhen is only one possible alternative. What other strikers will emerge as potential targets for Chelsea?
