“What a combo imaging him & Palmer” – Chelsea make contact to sign £50m striker to back Enzo Maresca plan
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Chelsea’s First Premier League Defeat Since Opening Day
Chelsea experienced their first Premier League defeat since the opening day of the season, losing 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Before this match, the Blues had been on an impressive run, remaining unbeaten since their defeat to Manchester City in their first league game of the campaign. Their only other loss this season came against Servette in the Europa Conference League play-off in August.
Liverpool took control of the match with goals from Mo Salah and Curtis Jones, one in each half, securing all three points for the home side. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson did manage to equalize early in the second half, scoring with a composed finish after a well-placed pass from Moises Caicedo. However, the Senegalese striker’s other effort hit the post, and the Blues couldn’t capitalize on their chances.
Jackson’s season has been strong so far, with five goals in eight Premier League matches. This follows a solid 2023/24 campaign, where he scored 14 goals in 35 league appearances. Despite his form, Chelsea is reportedly looking to bring in another forward to provide competition.
Chelsea Eyeing Juventus Striker Dusan Vlahovic
According to The Boot Room, Chelsea is interested in signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic during the January transfer window. The Blues have already made contact with Juventus to stay updated on Vlahovic’s situation as the transfer window approaches. However, Chelsea faces competition from Arsenal, who are also interested in the Serbian international.
Juventus is currently negotiating a contract extension with Vlahovic, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2026. However, if an agreement isn’t reached, the Serie A club may consider selling him, with reports suggesting they could be tempted to accept an offer of around €60m (£50m). It remains to be seen whether Chelsea or Arsenal are willing to make a bid at that price in January or wait until the summer.
Why Chelsea Should Sign Dusan Vlahovic
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca should push for Vlahovic’s signing, as the Serbian striker has proven himself to be a top-tier goalscorer in Europe. Since the 2018/19 season, Vlahovic has scored 82 goals in Serie A with an expected goals (xG) tally of 81.16, for Fiorentina and Juventus combined. This indicates that he consistently finishes the chances created for him.
In comparison, Nicolas Jackson has scored 34 goals from an xG tally of 34.94 in La Liga and the Premier League for Villarreal and Chelsea. Last season, Jackson scored 14 goals from an xG of 19.86, underperforming by nearly six goals. Vlahovic’s superior finishing efficiency would offer Chelsea a reliable option in front of goal.
The 24-year-old Vlahovic is versatile, capable of scoring in various ways, including headers, free-kicks, and goals with both feet. His ability to finish from different situations would make him a valuable addition to Chelsea’s attack, bringing a higher level of efficiency to the final third.
Vlahovic and Cole Palmer: A Potential Dream Partnership
One of the reasons Vlahovic could thrive at Chelsea is his compatibility with creative midfielder Cole Palmer. Palmer is an outstanding playmaker, consistently creating high-quality chances for his teammates. However, his creativity has often gone unrewarded, as his teammates have failed to capitalize on the opportunities he provides. Last season, Palmer registered 11 assists from 17 “big chances” created.
This season, Palmer has improved even further, ranking in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for Expected Assisted Goals (0.51 per 90 minutes) and shot-creating actions (5.65 per 90 minutes). Vlahovic’s ability to finish from various positions would perfectly complement Palmer’s creative talents, potentially forming a lethal partnership at the top of Chelsea’s attack.
Conclusion
Dusan Vlahovic would be an excellent signing for Chelsea, bringing goal-scoring consistency and versatility that could significantly improve the team’s attack. His potential partnership with Cole Palmer could make a major impact, offering the Blues a potent combination of creativity and finishing. With a reported price tag of £50m, Vlahovic could be a crucial addition for Chelsea in the January transfer window.
