According to GivemeSport, Chelsea are considering the possibility of signing Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins in the upcoming January transfer window.
Chelsea’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, conducted significant business in the summer transfer market, revamping the squad according to his requirements. Despite making numerous signings, Chelsea still appears to be lacking in certain key areas.
One of their primary concerns from the previous season was a lack of goal-scoring, as they managed only 38 goals in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, they have yet to find a definitive solution to this problem. With the exception of their 3-0 victory against Luton Town, they have struggled to consistently convert scoring opportunities this season.
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Despite glimpses of brilliance from Raheem Sterling, Pochettino’s side still appears to lack the necessary firepower in the attacking third.
Nicolas Jackson is currently the main striker, but he has been inconsistent when it comes to scoring goals. While Christopher Nkunku is expected to return to the squad after recovering from injury, Chelsea seems determined to search for another striker in the January transfer window.
Throughout the summer, the Blues explored various striker options, and it appears their interest in Aston Villa’s Watkins remains strong.
The 27-year-old English international made a significant impact for Villa after the arrival of Unai Emery at Villa Park last season. He scored a total of 16 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the Premier League.
His excellent goal-scoring form in the latter part of the campaign played a crucial role in Villa’s qualifying for the Conference League. Additionally, he drew interest from Manchester United during the past summer transfer window.
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While Watkins might not have the most high-profile name, Chelsea are in need of more goal-scoring options in their attack, and Watkins, a consistent performer for Aston Villa, seems capable of providing that while also elevating the performance of the wingers around him.
Watkins is a versatile forward with a blend of speed, strength, work ethic, and intelligent positioning, making him an attractive potential addition to Chelsea’s squad.
However, Villa may be reluctant to part with their star striker during the middle of the season, regardless of the offered price.
Watkins has begun the new season impressively, tallying three goals and two assists in his first six matches across all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick against Hibernian in the Conference League play-off.