Chelsea enter race to sign £90m striker

It hasn’t been a great season for Chelsea, but one of the football club’s greatest strengths is its ability to endure and persevere through tough times.

The appointment of Xabi Alonso, which is expected to be finalized at the end of this month, certainly looks like a step in the right direction, even if the Blues somehow fail to qualify for Europe this term.

Described by analyst James Allcott as a “tactical genius”, Alonso brings fresh ideas and has been given far more authority than his predecessor at Stamford Bridge.

But one mission remains constant: Chelsea’s determination to sign a new striker, given the deceitfulness of their current strength.

Chelsea serious about signing Premier League striker

Chelsea have suffered some setbacks this season, but that’s not to say they’re wrong. And BlueCo has put the weight of managing a team in west London like a millstone on the necks of so many coaches, churning through managers like there’s no tomorrow.

But Alonso has elite potential and could be a transformative appointment. But he needs help and it needs to start up front as too many forwards have failed to bring success this season.

Chelsea’s interest in Brentford centre-forward Igor Thiago is starting to grow, with the Brazilian considered one of the best options on the market, with the interest evident from the Blues’ dugout, according to TEAMtalk.

Brentford paid a club record £30m to sign Thiago in July 2024, but it is understood the Londoners would like to triple that sum if he leaves this summer.

Aggressive and imposing, Thiago is a superstar on the rise and his profile could mark the proverbial return of Diego Costa to Stamford Bridge.

Why Thiago could become Chelsea’s new Diego Costa

Bailey may think Thiago fits the bill as an “elite-level striker” that Chelsea are looking for, but despite his versatile return in front of goal this season, the Brentford frontman may not be the solution to Chelsea’s problems – especially at a £90m transfer fee.

This season, the 24-year-old has scored 22 goals in 37 appearances in the Premier League, winning 5.4 duels per game. He is prolific and physical, which is exactly what the Chelsea side need.

Perhaps it will evoke the spirit of Costa, who was deemed “one of the best strikers in football” by Jose Mourinho in 2014. The Portuguese manager was signed from Atlético Madrid for £32m that year, after they stormed to the Premier League title.

Costa, now 37 and retired, was once one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards and arguably one of the most attacking and prolific goalscorers of his time.

And in 2014/15, it’s worth remembering that the Brazilian-born striker spearheaded Jose Mourinho’s title bid, making just 26 appearances but still scoring 20 goals. In total, the nomadic star made 120 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 59 goals and providing 21 assists.

Thiago may bear some resemblance to the retired bagman, but it’s hard to say with confidence that he’s at the same level at this point.

Thiago has been a consistent scorer throughout the season, but his last goal against a top-eight side in the Premier League came in November, and at times he feels left wanting. In fact, he only scored two such goals during the year, against Liverpool and Brighton.

Is he the man to take Chelsea forward? Does he have the nuance and proven qualities to succeed on the biggest stage? He has converted eight penalties in the Premier League this season and it is hard to imagine Cole Palmer stepping aside to give him the spot-kick specialist badge that Alonso has earmarked.

Thiago may be a talented striker, but he is nearing the end of his first season as a regular in England’s top flight and there is a sense that Alonso could do better for a whopping £90m rather than making the Brentford star the definitive marker of the first transfer window.

Costa-esque or not, BlueCo will have to tread carefully here as so many misfires have hampered their progress in recent years.