SAMU OMORODION: WHY IS CHELSEA INTERESTED IN AN ATLETICO MADRID STRIKER VALUED AT €50 MILLION WHO HAS SCORED ONLY NINE GOALS IN SENIOR MATCHES?
Chelsea's search for attacking reinforcements has already seen one bid for the 20-year-old striker turned down. It has been evident for a while that acquiring a new centre-forward is a key priority for the club this summer. While Nicolas Jackson has shown some improvement, he is still developing and would benefit from sharing the scoring responsibilities.
Recently, Chelsea has been linked with several high-profile strikers with impressive goal records, including Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. However, since the transfer window opened and Enzo Maresca took over as manager, expectations have had to be adjusted. Initially, Aston Villa's Jhon Duran, who scored only five Premier League goals last season, was a potential target, followed by Samu Omorodion.
In June, Chelsea reportedly made a €40 million (£34m/$43m) offer for Omorodion, which Atletico Madrid rejected. This offer included potential add-ons, and the news led Chelsea fans to research their potential new striker. Omorodion's previous season, where he scored just eight goals, raised doubts about Chelsea's renewed interest. Reports suggest Chelsea might increase their bid to €50 million (£43m/$55m).
Omorodion, born to Nigerian parents in Melilla, Spain, began his career at AD Nervion before moving to Granada in 2021. After a successful spell with Granada's Under-19 team, he earned a five-year contract and caught the attention of Premier League clubs. He debuted for Granada in La Liga, scoring in his first match against Atletico Madrid. However, his career took a turn when Atletico exercised his €6 million release clause, leading to a loan spell at Alaves. Despite a slow start, Omorodion scored eight goals for Alaves but struggled to add to his tally in the latter part of the season.
Omorodion's physical attributes make him well-suited for the Premier League. Standing at 6'4" with a strong build, he is difficult to dispossess and excels in tight spaces. His goals are mostly scored inside the box, and he possesses quickness over short distances. Although his finishing needs improvement, his potential is evident. However, he is not dominant in aerial duels and lacks creativity, with only one assist in his senior career.
Currently, it appears that Chelsea might have a clear path to signing Omorodion, with no other clubs showing significant interest. The imminent transfer of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid could also facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, if a deal falls through, Chelsea could explore other options, such as Duran or Osimhen. Omorodion's future remains uncertain, with potential but also noticeable gaps in his game, making any move a considerable risk for Chelsea.
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