Chelsea look set to add some much-needed attacking firepower to their squad ahead of next season.
The Blues achieved their goal of Champions League qualification and winning the Conference League, but they definitely still have some holes to fill in the squad.
Apparently, Chelsea want to strengthen four key positions to help boost Enzo Maresca’s group. It looks like that will get underway with English striker Liam Delap arriving from Ipswich Town.
Even though fans are still patiently waiting for official confirmation from the club, Delap will join Chelsea on a six-year deal.
John Obi Mikel reacts to Liam Delap joining Chelsea, rules out Victor Osimhen arrival
John Obi Mikel, the former Blues midfielder, has reacted positively to speculation that Delap is on his way to Chelsea. In particular, he wants to see the young centre-forward get a chance to impress at this summer’s Club World Cup tournament.
However, he doesn’t expect to see striker Victor Osimhen make a move to Stamford Bridge as well.
Mikel told talkSPORT: “Everyone knows the number nine I want us to get, and we’re not getting him. We need to get Osimhen, but I don’t think the club is getting him now. We’ve gone a different route. We are getting Delap. I hope he comes in and helps the team as well. I want to see him in this Club World Cup. I want to see him perform. Obviously he needs to push Nicolas Jackson; the competition needs to be there.”
Speaking in May, Mikel claimed Chelsea must sign Osimhen this summer or it would be a “disaster” for them. But now he doesn’t think the Napoli-owned frontman, who shone on loan at Galatasaray last season, will become a Blues player.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 41 | 37 | 8 |
Even though Chelsea have discussed signing Osimhen, his high wage demand has been mentioned as a potential stumbling block. The transfer speculation around his name has gone quiet in the last couple of weeks, too.
As well as Delap, Chelsea are still rumoured to be after another new signing in attack.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is very keen on joining Chelsea and is pushing for a move to the club. Apparently, sources feel confident that this is a transfer that can be concluded this summer.
Victor Osimhen vs Liam Delap vs Hugo Ekitike
Many Chelsea supporters, including Mikel, want to see a high-profile frontman such as Osimhen join the club to lead the line for them. The transfer strategy under this Blues ownership is to recruit young talents, though.
Here is a look at how Osimhen, Delap and Ekitike compare in their respective club careers to date.
| Player | Age | Clubs | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Victor Osimhen | 26 | Napoli, Galatasaray, Lille, Charleroi, Wolfsburg | 264 | 151 | 36 |
| Liam Delap | 22 | Ipswich Town, Hull City, Stoke City, Preston North End, Manchester City | 116 | 25 | 4 |
| Hugo Ekitike | 22 | Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, Stade Reims, Vejle Boldklub | 136 | 44 | 24 |
As you can see above, Osimhen clearly has the CV to prove he’s a clinical goalscorer and a top performer in European football.
We hope that Delap can make the step up in West London after a decent season last year in the Premier League with Ipswich. As for Ekitike, he would need to adjust to England’s top division if he does arrive from the German league.
