Chelsea now looking at £28m PL striker to solve goal problem

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Chelsea still retain an interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

That is according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Ollie Watkins recently signed a new long-term contract at Villa, but Phillips has claimed on his Substack that he is still “being looked at” by Chelsea.

GiveMeSport initially reported in September that Watkins was one name on their radar, but the 27-year-old has since gone on to put pen to paper on a fresh deal, complicating things for the Blues.

He has been in terrific form this season, scoring five goals and providing five assists in 11 Premier League games.

Chelsea should continue looking at Ollie Watkins

It is going to be difficult to get Watkins out of Villa Park after his contract extension, but he is a name Chelsea have to consider, especially if they fail to land one of their main targets.

Goals have obviously been a problem for the Blues, who failed to score in their last Premier League outing against Brentford, but Watkins has shown during his time at Villa that he has no trouble finding the back of the net.

As already highlighted, the £28m striker (BBC Sport) has scored five times in the top flight this season and netted on 15 occasions in the last one.

“Today, he played amazing,” Unai Emery told TNT Sports after Watkins’ hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of September.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney is one striker who looks to be above Watkins on Chelsea’s shortlist and their interest in him is understandable.

Like his England teammate, he also had a good 2022/23 season in front of goal, scoring 20 times in 33 top-flight appearances.

However, if Chelsea cannot sign Toney for whatever reason, then Watkins has to move up their list. He would not be a terrible alternative to the former Peterborough player.