Chelsea have been fortunate enough to have so many great centre-forwards over the years. It turns out that one high-profile striker slipped through the net back in 2018 despite the club’s attempt to sign him, though.
The list of Chelsea legends features some fabulous attackers, including the likes of Didier Drogba and Peter Osgood.
In more recent times, the Blues haven’t found it easy landing a top-class striker to lead the line.
Chelsea have been linked with numerous strikers in recent months as they try to find the right profile to spearhead the attack. Ultimately, the jury is still out for most fans over whether or not Nicolas Jackson can be the main starting striker.
It’s interesting to look back a few years to a time when a proven goalscorer turned down the opportunity to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
Striker didn’t join Chelsea in 2018 despite being ‘flattered’ by interest
Back in 2018, Chelsea were linked with a move for Edin Dzeko, who was playing for Roma during that period. Incidentally, Antonio Conte was the Blues manager trying to sign him.
The Bosnian striker confirmed at the time that the Blues held “negotiations” about signing him in the January 2018 transfer window, and he was “really flattered” by the interest. However, the player stayed in Rome to continue his love affair with the Serie A club.
Speaking in 2018 straight after the January window, Dzeko told Klix: “It is true that negotiations were held and that is all I can say on the subject. There was a lot of speculation, untruths and even slightly ridiculous claims, and I was really flattered by the interest of Chelsea, a club that I respect and appreciate very much.
“However, over the last few weeks, so many stories have been told about my departure from Roma, and I am still here today. At the end of the day, I am happy to stay in Roma, because Rome has become my home and an indelible part of my life.”
Dzeko, who’s now aged 38 and still excelling for Fenerbahce, never made his way to Stamford Bridge. Instead, he’s remembered in English football for winning two Premier League titles as a Manchester City player (2012 & 2014).
The centre-forward certainly is the type of prolific No 9 that could’ve excelled in Chelsea colours.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Roma | 260 | 119 | 54 |
| Manchester City | 189 | 72 | 26 |
| VfL Wolfsburg | 142 | 85 | 35 |
| Inter Milan | 101 | 31 | 15 |
| Fenerbahce | 80 | 43 | 15 |
| FK Teplice | 45 | 16 | 3 |
| FK Zeljeznicar Sarajevo | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Chelsea must not fail to sign a striker in the summer
The club’s hierarchy need a reminder that they simply must add a proven goalscorer to their ranks ahead of next season. If the Blues want to close the gap to the very best sides, they must own a clinical centre-forward in attack.
Chelsea are frontrunners to sign 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap when the summer window comes around. Even though he’s proving himself as a quality Premier League operator, Enzo Maresca’s side need to weigh up if he’s got the potential to grow into a world-class operator.
Hopefully, Chelsea can find something they’ve not had since Diego Costa, a 20-goal striker.
The young and talented Blues squad can achieve big things moving forward if they just make one or two upgrades in the spine.
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