It would be very surprising if Chelsea ended the 2025 summer transfer window without signing a new centre-forward.
Enzo Maresca needs one, and that has become apparent following Nicolas Jackson’s injury.
Chelsea were toothless in their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday, losing 3-0 at the Amex.
Chelsea could bring in Liam Delap to help them with their problem. He is one striker they are currently considering, but it looks like the club have serious doubts about another potential option.
Chelsea have doubts about Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic is one centre-forward who is constantly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
In fact, it has been claimed that Chelsea actually came close to signing Vlahovic during Mauricio Pochettino’s time at the club.
Still at Juventus, the 25-year-old remains an option for Chelsea and other Premier League outfits.
However, according to GiveMeSport, both Chelsea and their London rivals Arsenal have doubts about him.
It is interesting because Chelsea could definitely do with a No.9 like Vlahovic. The Serbian is big and powerful at 6’3″ and has quite a good goal record in Italy. In 192 Serie A appearances, Vlahovic has scored 85 times.
An experienced goal threat who has the right build for the Premier League, Chelsea do not have that when Jackson is unavailable just like now. And even when the 23-year-old is fit, his finishing can leave much to be desired at times.
Dusan Vlahovic compared to Fernando Torres
Vlahovic has been likened to one former Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres. Of course, if the Blues do go on to land the Serbia international, they will be hoping that he can make a much bigger impact than Torres did.
Torres lost his proficiency in front of goal at Chelsea, but in his prime, he was an exceptional centre-forward. And his former teammate at Liverpool Mohamed Sissoko can see similarities between him and Vlahovic.
“Vlahovic has David Trezeguet’s sense of the goal and the speed of execution of Fernando Torres,” Sissoko told Tuttojuve (via Football Italia) in 2022.
For whatever reason, though, figures at Chelsea seem to have their doubts about the former Fiorentina man.
