Newly appointed Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is willing to be patient with Nicolas Jackson. After the forward’s £32 million arrival from Villarreal, Jackson showed flashes of his potential under Mauricio Pochettino last term. In his debut season, Jackson scored 17 goals and provided five assists, prompting Stamford Bridge bosses to seek another addition to ease his load.
Chelsea’s Forward Hunt and Alternative Targets
Initially, Benjamin Sesko was Chelsea’s primary target, but the club had to explore other options after Sesko chose to extend his stay with RB Leipzig. Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran emerged as a potential solution, with reports suggesting the forward is excited about a possible move to west London.
However, Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion has now become Chelsea’s top target. The 20-year-old striker, who scored eight goals on loan at Alaves last season, caught the attention of the Blues. Chelsea made an ambitious initial offer of around €40 million (£33.8 million) for Omorodion, which Atletico Madrid swiftly turned down.
Omorodion’s Potential and Atletico’s Stance
Omorodion has a £67.5 million release clause in his contract with Atletico Madrid, and the La Liga giants are only willing to let him go if this clause is met. The Spain Under-21 international, who joined Atletico from Granada a year ago, is under contract for four more years and has yet to feature for the club.
Omorodion’s performances have also attracted interest from Roma and Napoli in Serie A. Standing at 6 ft 4 in, he is known for his physicality, aerial prowess, speed, and agility. His work ethic and ability to press opponents tirelessly make him a potential fit for Maresca’s style of play at Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid’s Perspective
Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid highly regard Omorodion. Last season, Atletico considered recalling him from his loan spell at Alaves. Simeone expressed optimism about Omorodion’s future, stating, “You can see him evolving in the games we’ve followed involving Alaves. He’s a young guy, strong, with a lot of speed in long spaces and very good play in the box with his body. Let’s hope he does well at Alaves, because he has a future with Atletico. He spent only a few days with us but he looks humble and hardworking.”
Omorodion’s future remains uncertain despite admitting he wants Atletico stay, but his potential move to Chelsea could significantly impact the Premier League club’s attacking options
