Chelsea are chasing their own Haaland, who Mbappe called “a very good striker”

Chelsea they have been one of the best teams in front of goal in the 2024/25 Premier League season so far. According to Sofascore, Enzo Maresca the team scored 38 times in the first division, which was bettered by only two sides. These are Liverpool with 45 and Tottenham Hotspur with 41.

Cole Palmer, who scored 12 goals, and Nicolas Jackson, who scored nine times in the first division, scored took over a large part of the goalscoring load. Of course, the Senegalese center forward is the only striker who has scored more than two goals for Chelsea in the league.

They are reportedly looking to add another striker to their squad to complement those targets.

Chelsea are targeting a new striker

The player in question is the Brighton and Hove Albion starlet, Evan Ferguson. The Irishman has struggled to find his best form in the last two seasons, and injuries have affected his playing time. However, he is still a player with great potential.

With that in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that Chelsea are planning to sign him in January to increase their goal threat. As reported by Graeme BaileyThe Blues are one of the sides ‘keeping tabs on the Ferguson situation’ as the winter window begins.

However, they will face fierce competition from other Premier League teams. Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle United and Fulham are also interested, and West Ham United are said to have made contact.

The Seagulls are believed to be open to a loan deal which could include an option or obligation to buy the forward at the end of his temporary move.

Why Ferguson would be a good signing

Since bursting onto the scene in the 2022/23 season, it hasn’t been easy for the 20-year-old Ferguson. He missed 17 games for club and national team last season, a total of 164 days with two separate injuries.

In addition, it is clear to see his talent. In 79 appearances for Brighton so farhe has 17 goals and five assists, in 3,525 minutes, the equivalent of just 39.1 90-minute games. That averages out to a penalty goal every other 90 minutes, a strong record.

Indeed, his breakthrough campaign in 2022/23. she was impressive. He played 25 times for the Galeb first team, he scored ten goals and recorded four assists. That includes six goals in 19 Premier League games.

In fact, he was so good that season that you can compare the Irishman with one of the best strikers in the Premier League, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian was on fire himself in his debut season in England, scoring 36 goals in only 35 games.

Expectations were different for both entering the 2022/23 campaign. Nobody really thought Ferguson would become the clinical finisher he is, but he exploded out of nowhere.

Haaland had all the expectations of him, as a big-money signing with a reputation for scoring goals week in and week out.

Couple can be compared on FBref for their outstanding campaigns in their first full Premier League season.

For example, the Brighton striker had an expected number of non-penalty goals of 0.5npxG per 90 minutes and averaged 1.61 shots on goal per game. Haaland is not too far ahead, with 0.75npxG and 1.72 shots per game.

Ferguson is clearly a player who is judged by his colleagues. Kylian Mbappe already noticed his talent, describing him as “a very good striker” before Ireland and France played each other in 2023. That is high praise indeed for one of the world’s leading strikers.

This could be a smart signing for the Blues on loan. Ferguson could help complement the goals scored by Jackson and Palmer without being pressured to be the first striker himself. His talent is there and perhaps he can be discovered once again at Stamford Bridge.