Advertisement

Jonathan David move, Jamal Musiala offer - Chelsea next signing decided amid striker talk

Jonathan David of Lille
-Credit:Getty Images


Questions are once again being asked of Chelsea's forward line. Nicolas Jackson looked to have put any lingering doubts over his ability with an impressive start to the campaign.

The Senegalese scored eight goals in the first 13 Premier League matches of the season, proving why the Blues splashed out £32million on him in the summer of 2023.

However, he has just one goal in the eight matches since then and was guilty of missed chances as the Blues had to rescue a last-gasp point at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE - James loan, £8m bid, deal agreed, Abramovich punishment

READ MORE: Bayern Munich make Mathys Tel decision as Chelsea discuss transfer options following new injury

Chelsea have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches, falling out of title contention as a result. But with the January transfer window in full swing, they could look to add to Enzo Maresca's squad with new signings.

Trevoh Chalobah has already been recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace to bolster Maresca's defensive options, but what about up front? We asked football.london writers to name who Chelsea should sign this month.

Lee Wilmot

When it comes to attacking options, Chelsea could do with someone who has Premier League experience, someone who knows the league and knows where the onion bag is.

Marcus Rashford could be an astute piece of business, and we already know Manchester United outcasts can perform well at Stamford Bridge. See Jadon Sancho's renaissance. That loan deal would mean Chelsea having to sign Rashford on a permanent deal this month, however.

Someone like Evan Ferguson - understood to be available for loan from Brighton - could also be a decent shout, although neither's form comes anywhere close to Jackson's.

In the spirit of signing players they used to own, however, one name really stands out - Jamal Musiala. Chelsea should take advantage of confusion over his contract situation at Bayern Munich and bring him back to west London.

Sam Truelove

Chelsea need a clinical, top class striker. They needed one in the summer and they still need one now. I like Nicolas Jackson but he is not yet the finished product and I'm not sure he'll ever be clinical. He will always make an impact, but I'm not convinced he will get you 20-plus goals every season.

For me, I would try and sign one of Jonathan David or Victor Osimhen. David is available on a free in the summer with his contract at Lille expiring and at the age of 25 still has plenty of potential. Chelsea's interest in Osimhen is well documented and while he is thriving in Galatasaray at the moment, he is only on loan in Turkey and seems to have no future at Napoli.

Both would be good signings for Chelsea and would offer Enzo Maresca a proper No.9. For this to happen, though, I would probably look to move on Christopher Nkunku as there would not be any room for the Frenchman.

Joe Doyle

I think realistically, Chelsea aren't going to win the Premier League this season - it's not a revelatory statement, I know.

But that means there's not really an urgency to go spending hundreds of millions on a top-class striker - yet. That can come in the summer when the options are a little more clear, whether it be a move for Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres or a Premier League-proven player such as Alexander Isak.

For now, I think they do need back-up - or at least a reliable rotation option - for Nicolas Jackson. The striker has been putting up good numbers and his pressing is top notch; he will need some help and to rest at certain stages in the second half of the season, and Chelsea need someone who could come in and do the job well.

I'd be tempted to move for someone like Jonathan David, who will be available for free in the summer. It could be a fairly simple deal to do with Lille to ensure they earn a fee for the player. Considering his record this season of 11 goals in 17 league games and four in six Champions League fixtures, he would likely be able to fill in well and add some competition for Jackson.

Tom Coley

Chelsea are in a tough spot where they need Jackson to continue developing to iron out the few small rough edges in his largely well-rounded game but are also being made to pay for missing a clinical frontman. The hope is that Jackson can become that but until then things will remain frustrating.

It is the age profile of another striker that causes issues. Marc Guiu, at 19, simply isn't ready to offer enough as a rotation option but those who Chelsea aim towards in the market - players below 26 - would need as much time as Jackson, which makes things hard.

Liam Delap, for example, is a fine player and offers something different to Jackson. He demands care and attention to grow as well, though, and would ideally be the main starting striker.

What Chelsea could really do with is an Olivier Giroud-type figure. Someone who does not need 2,000 league minutes to stay happy and to be at their best. That isn't the Chelsea model anymore.

A push for another big No.9 like Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres will likely follow because Chelsea want competition and quality up front. Nkunku would work but his play-style doesn't fit what Maresca is doing. That's a problem in of itself.

For now, finding someone to support and push Jackson is the way forward. It's easier said than done.