Former Watford forward Troy Deeney has weighed in on Chelsea’s ongoing striker dilemma, advocating for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen over Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Soccernet.ng reports.
With the summer transfer window nearing its close, Chelsea’s search for a top-tier striker has intensified, and the debate over who would be the better fit for the Blues is heating up.
Victor Osimhen, who is reportedly keen on leaving Napoli, has long been on Chelsea’s radar. The Nigerian forward has also attracted interest from PSG and Arsenal, but Chelsea seems to be leading the race for his signature as the transfer deadline approaches.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney has emerged as a late target for Chelsea, adding another layer of complexity to their decision-making process.
Despite his close relationship with Toney, Troy Deeney shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with Sky Sports News.
He said: “I have always got to look after my boy (Ivan Toney), ain’t I? I was going to say Ivan, but for the way Chelsea are playing, personally, I am not a big Nicolas Jackson fan. I think he does a lot of running, but they don’t need that.”
Deeney further explained his preference for Osimhen, comparing him to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
“They need someone who is a bit like Haaland, looks after it, let the other guys run,” Deeney added.
“Osimhen has the running and he has got the ability, and the aura of I am going to score, I am the big man, give me the ball.
“So if you ask me non-biased, all cards on the table, I would have to say Osimhen over Ivan.”
Reports suggest that Chelsea have already made their first offer of personal terms to Osimhen, a move that could pave the way for further negotiations between the two clubs.
As the transfer deadline looms, the possibility of securing Osimhen remains a major storyline, with Romelu Lukaku potentially moving in the opposite direction regardless of the outcome.
With the clock ticking down, the next few days promise to be crucial for Chelsea’s transfer strategy, as they weigh their options and potentially make a final push to land a world-class striker.