Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations suffered another setback on Sunday after failing to capitalize on an opportunity to gain ground on Liverpool.
A frustrating draw against Everton at Goodison Park saw Chelsea slip four points behind league leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand. Later that day, Liverpool extended their lead with a commanding 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite dominating possession with 75% of the ball and creating three clear-cut chances, Chelsea failed to find the net against Everton. Enzo Maresca’s side will rue their missed opportunities, as their inability to convert promising moments into goals cost them crucial points.
Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s main striker, missed two golden opportunities in the game, further emphasizing the team’s lack of clinical finishing in the final third.
Jackson’s recent form has been underwhelming, with just one goal in his last three Premier League matches. During that time, he has squandered three significant chances.
Although Chelsea sought to bolster their attack in the summer, their inability to secure another natural striker left Jackson without adequate competition or support, a shortcoming that is now proving costly.
One of Chelsea’s missed opportunities in the summer transfer window was Spanish striker Samu Omorodion, now known as Samu Aghehowa. Chelsea reportedly agreed to a £34.5 million deal to sign the Atletico Madrid forward in August.
However, the move collapsed due to contractual disputes, allowing Aghehowa to join Porto instead. Since then, the 20-year-old has been in sensational form, scoring 16 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, including a brace against Manchester United in the Europa League.
Aghehowa’s finishing has been exceptional, with 11 goals in the Portuguese league from an expected goals (xG) tally of just 5.45. In stark contrast, Jackson has missed as many clear chances in his last three games as Aghehowa has all season, highlighting what Chelsea lost by failing to secure the Spanish forward.
With the January transfer window approaching, Chelsea is now eyeing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as a potential reinforcement. The 21-year-old joined Ipswich from Manchester City for £20 million in the summer and has impressed in his debut Premier League season.
Delap has scored six goals in 16 appearances, outperforming his xG of 4.41, demonstrating his efficiency and knack for creating opportunities.
Chelsea has reportedly initiated talks with Delap’s representatives, and the striker is said to be open to the move. Manchester City retains a buy-back clause for the player but is unlikely to activate it in January, paving the way for Chelsea to secure the promising forward.
Maresca must push for Delap’s signing, as his combination of potential and efficiency could provide the attacking spark Chelsea desperately needs.
Similar to Aghehowa’s success at Porto, Delap could thrive at Stamford Bridge with better service and support, making him an ideal addition to the Blues’ lineup.
