Chelsea fans should be cautious before they get excited about the potential signing of Hugo Ekitike.
Chelsea are interested in signing Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer as they look to bolster their options up front.
The 22-year-old has had an impressive season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions for Dino Toppmoller’s side.
However, just as Nicolas Jackson has since arriving at Chelsea in 2023, Ekitike has underwhelmed in one area.
Hugo Ekitike and Nicolas Jackson have underperformed when it comes to xG
Ekitike has scored 15 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances this season, which is not bad for someone his age. However, the Frenchman could have actually had more to his name.
According to WhoScored, Ekitike’s xG in the Bundesliga is 22.55, meaning that he really should have finished the campaign with at least seven more goals.
Jackson is also in the same boat, though he has not been as wasteful as Ekitike. His WhoScored page shows that he has an xG of 13.25 but has only netted 10 times. It gives Jackson an xG difference of -3.25, which is not as bad as Ekitike’s -7.55.
Jackson’s finishing has been criticised by Ally McCoist, and the above shows that the Rangers legend has a point.
Chelsea just managed to qualify for the Champions League this term, finishing three points above Aston Villa in sixth.
Going forward, they need to be more clinical and cannot have Jackson, Ekitike or whoever is leading their line wasting so many good opportunities.
Why Nicolas Jackson now faces the axe at Chelsea
Ekitike’s potential arrival at Stamford Bridge means Jackson may not even get a chance to try and improve next season.
It has been claimed that Chelsea want to sign two new strikers when the transfer window opens, which would likely spell the end for Jackson.
Whether Ekitike would be an upgrade on the Senegal international, though, remains to be seen. Understandably, at 22, he still has a lot of improving to do himself.
