Chelsea move for ‘monstrous’ £67m alternative to Delap

Chelsea have been looking for a striker for what seems like years at this point, with Enzo Maresca yet to bring in a player who can lead the side forward in the upper part of the pitch.

Various names have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but no deal has been completed, leaving the Italian to work with the options already available to him upon his arrival.

However, the January window provided another opportunity for the 44-year-old to strengthen his attack, looking to build on their start to Premier League a campaign that sees them in the top four.

With 16 games to go, the extra attacking reinforcements will undoubtedly be welcome for the Blues, offering extra firepower that could prove vital in these tight affairs.

As a result, a number of names have been mentioned, including one who is also on the radar of another English side ahead of the deadline in just over ten days.

Chelsea move for £65m talisman this month

According to journalist Matt Law, Chelsea are monitoring the progress of Benjamin Šeško this month ahead of a potential job for the Slovenian.

However, the Blues are not the only side in the hunt, with Arsenal seem to be leading the race after talking with his representatives about moving to the Emirates.

Their interest in the 21-year-old RB Leipzig forward is understandable given his form in the 2024/25 season. scored 14 times in 26 appearancesincluding four in just seven Champions League appearances.

It was also advertised that the deal was for Šeško would set the club back £67 millionwhich could prove to be an important investment in a player who will provide immediate impact along with the potential for further improvement.

He would also provide an excellent alternative to the second target, while also being an upgrade for the player currently working under Maresco at the Bridge.

Why Seško would be an upgrade on Jackson for Chelsea

Liam Delap has also he was previously touted as a potential signing for Chelsea in recent months following his successful season with newly promoted Ipswich Town.

The 21-year-old scored eight times in the Premier Leagueimpressing with increased minutes, but it is not clear if he will be able to maintain his form or if it is just a purple stain in front of the goal.

As for the current talisman Nicholas Jacksonhe has rarely been challenged for a starting position of late, with Christopher Nkunku recently linked with his departure from west London in the coming weeks.

The Senegalese joined the club in the summer of 2023 and since then scored 26 times in 66 appearancesincluding nine in the Premier League during 2024/25. – offering a fairly consistent source of goals.

However, he was often guilty of missing a number of clear-cut chances inside the final third, and the hierarchy must invest in a new striker if they are to reach the next level under Maresco.

So, while Šeško, who was previously called “monster” analyst Ben Mattinson, may have recorded fewer combined goals and assists, he managed to score higher target at a rate of 90 in the 2024/25 season, and his conversion rate and shooting accuracy are significantly higher.

Furthermore, he is also managed to win more jumps in the air at 90achieving a higher success rate in the air, a real key asset the Blues have been desperate for in the upper half of the pitch.

His 6-foot-5 frame could make him a perfect fit for Maresca’s system, giving the Italian an alternative who can win aerial battles and bring others into play if they ever need to go direct.

A fee of £67m may seem expensive, but given his current talent and experience and potential for further improvement, it is a risk worth taking, finally ending their search for a new number nine.

Sesko is arguably a better talent than Jackson, as evidenced by the stats produced to date, but also a higher profile option than Delap, allowing him to play a big part in leading the Blues back to the top of the Premier League.