Chelsea would be in the Premier League title race if they had signed ‘magnificent’ Arsenal player and former teammate shortlisted years ago

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Presently, Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have a problem both in central defence and up front.

Wesley Fofana cannot stay fit, while Levi Colwill has been struggling with the physicality of the Premier League of late.

Gary Neville thinks Colwill needs to get stronger if he is going to be a success at Chelsea.

As for the team’s attack, they have no recognised striker following injuries to Nicolas Jackson, who had been out of form anyway, and Marc Guiu. But had the club completed two signings five years ago, things would look very different for them right now.

• READ MORE: The two players Chelsea must now offer for Victor Osimhen after swap deal rumours, £50m man has to be the first to go

Chelsea were interested in Gabriel Magalhaes and Victor Osimhen

Unlike Chelsea, central defence is not a problem for Arsenal, who have two of the best centre-backs in the world in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Before the latter moved to Arsenal in 2020, though, Chelsea were also interested in both him and his former Lille teammate Victor Osimhen.

According to Le10Sport, Chelsea had Gabriel and Osimhen on their shortlist, only to watch them join Arsenal and Napoli respectively.

Five years later, and Gabriel is now one of the leading central defenders in the Premier League, while Osimhen is a player whom Chelsea have tried to sign again. On deadline day during the summer transfer window, Chelsea made an attempt to bring in Osimhen but failed.

Chelsea are a Gabriel and Osimhen away from a title challenge

Gabriel and Osimhen are two of the top players in the world in their respective positions. “Magnificent in defence”, Rio Ferdinand said when discussing the former on TNT Sports last season.

Add them to Chelsea’s squad, and Maresca probably has a team capable of competing for the Premier League title.

At one point during this season, they already were. There are some talented individuals at Stamford Bridge, including Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea are just lacking a consistent No.9 and experienced centre-half, as well as a reliable goalkeeper. Gabriel and Osimhen would have solved the first two issues and had Maresca’s side going toe-to-toe with Liverpool this season.

John Obi Mikel is not ruling out Osimhen joining Chelsea at some point in the future, but having first caught the club’s attention years ago, he should already be in a blue shirt.