Everyone seems to be picking Napoli star Victor Osimhen as Chelsea’s next striker. Where there’s smoke in football, there’s fire.
Osimhen ticks a lot of boxes for Chelsea. He has played at a high level for several years since his time at Lille, becoming the top scorer in the Serie A league in the 2022/2023 season.
There is no doubt about the talent of the Nigerian. However, his recent injury history is a concern and his price tag makes him a major threat due to his €130m release clause this summer.
Chelsea could take a different gamble and save money by signing another talented striker who is available through his release clause in another league. Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg reports that RB Leipzig’s 20-year-old striker Benjamin Szesko has a €50m release clause this summer.
Cesko is one of the strikers the Blues are eyeing as potential targets in 2024. Blues fans have been calling for an elite player as they have often banked on a very inconsistent young striker in Nicolas Jackson towards the end of the 2022/23 season after some impressive performances for Villarreal.
The problem is that during peak hours, everyone takes risks in one way or another. Jackson took a risk because he only had a few good games on his resume. Osimhen will be held responsible for his enormous losses and injuries. Šeško is promising but unproven.
RB Salzburg’s top prospect, Shesko, has arrived in the Leipzig system. He has looked dangerous when given the opportunity and has the talent to be a clean, clinical 9.
The problem is that the importance of summer signings, standout Reus Openda and experienced all-rounder Youssef Poulsen, means he won’t be available for every game. €50 million isn’t cheap at all, but it could prove to be a bargain if Seško fulfills his potential as a world-class striker.
He has better qualities than Jackson, especially as a closer. Depending on how Chelsea deal with Osimhen and his injuries and what they think of Cesco, this prospect could be worth watching.
