Chelsea fans should be concerned about one of their club’s reported targets.
The Blues remain in the market for a new striker after watching RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko sign a fresh contract.
The Slovenia international was thought to have been a target for Chelsea and their Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.
They will now have to bring someone else in, with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke two centre-forwards they are now being linked with.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that the club are working on a deal to sign Duran, while journalist Simon Phillips has claimed that they are considering making a move for Solanke.
Most unsuccessful first touches in the Premier League
Duran was hardly in prolific form last season, managing to score just five goals in the Premier League, though the Colombian will argue that he did not get enough opportunities.
Solanke, on the other hand, was quite deadly. The 26-year-old netted 19 times in 38 appearances.
However, his all-round game looks like it needs a bit of work.
According to WhoScored, Solanke actually made more unsuccessful first touches resulting in a turnover of possession (136) than any other player in the top flight.
If he is going to be the main man at Chelsea, that is something that the former Liverpool forward is going to have to work on.
Dominic Solanke’s ball control a concern
Given that Solanke could end up costing £65m, according to The Athletic, the above is worrying.
That is a lot of money to spend on a striker who is clearly not the finished article yet.
Playing for Chelsea, a team who often have to deal with the opposition sitting back, Solanke is going to have to play with his back to goal and hold the ball up. He cannot do that with a poor touch.
It is something to think about before going out and spending £65m on him.
At this moment in time, though, Chelsea look to be prioritising Duran.
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