Mauricio Pochettino may have to use Christopher Nkunku as his striker (Pictures: Getty)
Chelsea could end the summer without signing a striker and believe Christopher Nkunku is capable of leading the line if required, according to reports.
The west London club confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager on Monday, with the Argentine signing a two-year contract with the option for an additional year.
Pochettino’s biggest task this summer will be trimming a massively bloated squad that has no European football next season, with a horde of fringe players set to leave.
But the former Tottenham boss also wants to bring in a few key additions, with a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker his priorities.
Chelsea have already been linked with the likes of Inter shot-stopper Andre Onana and Brentford’s David Raya for the goalkeeper position, while Sporting defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte is emerging as the club’s top target to partner Enzo Fernandez.
Finding a new striker is a little more challenging, though Pochettino is thought to be keen on compatriot Lautaro Martinez as well as Napoli top scorer Victor Osimhen.
If that duo prove too costly, however, The Guardian are reporting that Chelsea will not panic into signing any old striker and are willing to trust in the options already at the club.
Nkunku will bring more cutting edge to Chelsea’s attack (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea’s hierarchy believe incoming attacker Nkunku, who has a long-standing agreement to move to Stamford Bridge from RB Leipzig, can plug the goalscoring gap and play as a No.9.
The Frenchman actually tied Werder Bremen’s Niclas Fullkrug for the Bundesliga golden boot this season, netting 16 times despite injury limiting him to just 20 starts.
Nkunku also netted 20 Bundesliga goals last season, as well as laying on 13 assists, and Chelsea are hoping the 25-year-old’s arrival will go a long way to improving their clinicalness in front of goal.
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There is also a feeling that Chelsea can share goals around better within the team under Pochettino, particularly with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk struggling to live up to their price tags.
Pochettino also has a decision to make over Romelu Lukaku when the Belgian returns from his loan at Inter and the forward could be welcomed back into the fold to provide another attacking option.
Chelsea have yet to officially announce Nkunku’s looming arrival, but a deal has been in place since the end of last year with the Blues agreeing to pay a fee of around £52million to secure the Frenchman’s services.
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Mauricio Pochettino may have to play someone out of position.
