Chelsea’s Road to Improvement

Chelsea is setting its sights on a comeback, aiming to secure a spot in the Champions League while also vying for major titles this season.

Coaching Changes and Fresh Beginnings

After Mauricio Pochettino’s departure at the end of the 2023/24 season due to an underwhelming performance, Todd Boehly appointed Enzo Maresca, the Italian manager who led Leicester City to a Championship victory last season, to take the reins. Maresca’s mission is to harness the full potential of Chelsea’s talented squad, with over a month remaining in the transfer window for additional signings.

Addressing the Need for a New Attacker

A top priority for Chelsea is acquiring a new forward, as they struggled with scoring efficiency in the Premier League last season. Despite having an expected goals (xG) tally of 80.18, they only managed to net 76 goals in the league and 11 goals from an xG of 14.07 in the League Cup, highlighting their inefficiency in front of the goal.

Chelsea’s Interest in Ollie Watkins

According to Football Insider, Chelsea is planning to bid for Aston Villa’s England international Ollie Watkins. The club aims to secure a marquee number nine to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes. Negotiations between Chelsea and Villa have been ongoing, with discussions also involving players like Jhon Duran and Connor Gallagher.

Potential Swap Deal

Chelsea is reportedly ready to offer Gallagher to Villa as part of the deal for Watkins. However, the exact financial details of the potential transfer remain unclear. If Chelsea succeeds in signing Watkins, he would be a significant upgrade over Nicolas Jackson.

Nicolas Jackson’s First Season with Chelsea

Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal last summer but had a mixed debut season. Despite showing promise, his finishing was inconsistent. Jackson’s xG tally was fifth-highest in the league at 18.64, but he only scored 14 times and missed 24 big chances. In all competitions, he scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 44 appearances, indicating room for improvement.

The Case for Signing Ollie Watkins

Watkins, a proven Premier League forward, would likely adapt quickly due to his league experience. The 28-year-old has scored 59 goals and provided 26 assists in 146 Premier League appearances for Villa, including 19 goals in the 2023/24 season. His performance ranked him in the top 19% for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes and the top 1% for assists per 90.

Watkins vs. Jackson

Watkins scored 27 goals in 53 games last season, demonstrating better finishing skills than Jackson. Journalist Ryan Adsett described Watkins as “spectacular,” highlighting his ability to convert chances with less xG created by his teammates. Watkins also excels in creating big chances and assisting goals, making him a valuable addition as both a scorer and a creator.

Conclusion: A Strategic Move for Chelsea

Signing Ollie Watkins could transform Chelsea’s attacking fortunes, turning their underperformance in xG into overperformance. Watkins’ arrival would provide a significant upgrade over Jackson, enhancing Chelsea’s goal-scoring capabilities and overall quality in the final third. Chelsea must now push forward and convince Aston Villa to part with their star forward to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.