“Amazing” – Chelsea to end No. 9 curse with £18m gem in late deal
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the recent weeks, Mauricio Pochettino has orchestrated a commendable turnaround at Chelsea, securing an impressive five victories out of seven and propelling the team into the League Cup Final.
Despite this positive shift, the Pensioners find themselves residing in the ninth position in the Premier League as they gear up for a formidable encounter with Liverpool. While this standing may not align with the club’s esteemed reputation, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air.
Nevertheless, the striking duo of Nicolas Jackson and, assuming he remains, Armando Broja, falls short of providing the necessary firepower to mount a substantial challenge against the league’s elite. Enter Todd Boehly and his associates, who appear poised to rectify this glaring deficiency by acquiring a forward capable of finally dispelling the club’s longstanding number nine curse.
A Glimpse Northwards: Chelsea’s Pursuit of Striking Solutions Recent revelations from Chelsea writer Simon Phillips, shared on his Substack, unveiled a belated inquiry into the availability of Callum Wilson this month. The west London outfit expressed interest in securing the former Bournemouth dynamo on loan, yet the Magpies signaled a willingness to part ways only through a permanent sale this month.
While this development may not align seamlessly with Pochettino’s strategic plans, the Magpies’ valuation of £18m presents an enticing proposition in today’s hyper-inflated market. Phillips further discloses Wilson’s eagerness to join Stamford Bridge, fueling speculation that this potential deal may indeed come to fruition.
Chasing the End to the Number Nine Jinx Few footballing curses resonate as widely as Chelsea’s notorious number nine curse. Over the years, illustrious goal-scorers elsewhere, upon donning the coveted number nine shirt for the Pensioners, seem to experience an inexplicable dip in form.
Examples abound, with Fernando Torres transitioning from a prolific first half of the 2010/11 season with Liverpool to a mere one league goal upon his mid-season move to west London. Romelu Lukaku suffered an even more dramatic downturn, netting an impressive 24 Serie A goals in the 2020/21 season, only to manage a meager eight the following year for Chelsea before disappearing from the squad altogether.
The weight of this purported curse is so profound that even in the summer of 2022, then-manager Thomas Tuchel revealed a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the number nine shirt. Players, typically eager to change numbers, surprisingly steered clear, with Tuchel acknowledging its cursed reputation: “It’s cursed, it’s cursed, people tell me it’s cursed. There was not a big demand for No 9.”
Considering this backdrop, Callum Wilson, hailed as “incredible” by his manager Eddie Howe, might understandably approach the prospect of donning the number nine jersey with caution. Yet, given his Premier League track record and successful stint with the Magpies, the English international could emerge as the catalyst to finally break this spell.
The “ruthless” forward, as journalist Chris Waugh aptly described him, boasts 215 top-flight appearances, 86 goals, and 23 assists, averaging an impressive 0.50 goal involvements per match throughout his career. Such credentials make Wilson a compelling addition for Chelsea’s quest for silverware and European contention this season. Nevertheless, the looming specter of the number nine curse remains, casting a shadow on every promising striker’s arrival at Stamford Bridge—until someone, perhaps Wilson, can decisively shatter it.
