Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will no doubt be chomping at the bit to once again be presented with the chance to eagerly open the checkbook in the upcoming January transfer window after the Blues now are faced with questions of depth in Graham Potter’s squad in the wake of Armando Broja’s injury.
The Stamford Bridge outfit revealed the extent of Broja’s ACL injury earlier today, confirming that the tear the Albanian international and Cobham Academy product suffered will see him miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
With Potter left with just the struggling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only out-and-out striker in the senior setup, Chelsea is now prepared to dip their toes into the market three weeks from now according to football insider Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea are prepared to sign a new striker in January. It was already one of the possibilities discussed in the last months, now becoming concrete after Armando Broja ACL injury. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Talks will take place to find the best opportunity on the market, Chelsea will be on it. pic.twitter.com/3i9APZDA45
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2022
The club reportedly was already considering the possibility of making a move for a striker next month before Broja’s injury, especially with continued links to Potter wanting to secure RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku at the mid-way point of the season rather than waiting until the summer, but an injury sustained in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup during training in the France set-up pulled that possibility off the table.
Given the rapidly changing situation in west London, 101 Great Goals looks at five possible striker targets that Chelsea could consider in January.
📰 Table Of Contents
Cristiano Ronaldo (unattached)
The obvious candidate that is sure to be targeted by Boehly and the Chelsea brass, the Blues having previously been linked with Ronaldo is likely to continue to drive interest. He may not be the best option given a few issues, particularly his age and attitude after his breakup drama with Manchester United, but the fact that he is readily available and fit could be tapped into. Chelsea can also likely afford his demands, and signing him to a two-year deal would still leave scope for the club to target long-term options in the coming summer.
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Jonathan David (LOSC Lille)
One of the names that continues to be banded around the top echelon of football in Europe, Canadian International Jonathan David remains one of the brightest attacking talents in Ligue 1 for LOSC Lille this season and came into Qatar tied for fourth in the league in goals. His performances at the World Cup were undoubtedly poor, however, though David was made to live off relative scraps as Canada did not perform in a manner akin to how they qualified for the tournament. Would suit the immediate need while giving the club its long-term option in one go.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Gambling issues aside and depending on any potential ruling that may be passed down by the FA, Brentford hitman Ivan Toney has been one of the talking points of the 2022-23 Premier League season on merit as one of the top goal-getters in the league with only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane ahead of him. The multi-faceted center-forward brings the profile of a player lethal in the final third, capable of pressing but also providing quality in the air as well as hold-up play, Toney would be more expensive now than in the summer but he would offer the right focal point while already being adapted to the league.
Gonçalo Ramos (SL Benfica)
Last on the list, and possibly coming more off a “vibes” analysis than anything else, new Portuguese young star Gonçalo Ramos will certainly garner plenty of interest from top clubs across Europe after he busted on the scene in Qatar with a hat-trick in his first start for Portugal in place of Ronaldo. He was far less effective against Morocco, but his goal record this season for Benfica shows he is hardly a fluke. Much like David mentioned earlier, Ramos’ age means that a move for him in January bypasses the club’s need to look at long-term options though they for sure will look to secure Christopher Nkunku.
Read below for more news & 2022 World Cup coverage
Match Report | Messi and Argentina book World Cup finals place after 3-0 win over Croatia
Lionel Messi set another World Cup record during Argentina vs Croatia
Erik ten Hag sends message to Harry Maguire over Manchester United future
