Chelsea have been linked with several attacking options, and the latest name on that list is Bordeaux hitman Josh Maja. 90min are reporting that the Blues see the former Sunderland man as a suitable back-up for Tammy Abraham, and could make a move in January.
Maja has impressed those at Stamford Bridge this season, despite not holding down a regular starting spot for Ligue 1 side Bordeaux. He has started just five of the clubs’ 18 league games, whilst appearing 11 times off the bench. He has scored five goals in that time, but is he the striker Chelsea should target?
The Nigerian broke onto the scene in 2017 for Sunderland and went on to have an extremely productive season, scoring 16 goals in 30 appearances. He was just 19-year-old at the time and impressed those in France. Bordeaux went on to sign Maja for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2019.
At just 20-years-old, he is still a relatively young striker. He would fit in well with a Chelsea side full of youth and hunger to succeed. The bit-part role he is playing at Bordeaux will also mean he is likely to accept a similar place in the squad at Chelsea.
With the Blues fighting on domestic and European fronts, the depth of the squad needs improving. Injuries and fatigue will begin to take their toll as the season progresses, and a deadly deputy striker could be crucial.
If the club can secure Maja for a relatively low fee, it could prove to be a shrewd buy. There are certainly questions over his ability to perform at the highest level, but if the price-tag is low, so is the risk.
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