Ivan Toney Stats: Why Chelsea are pursuing Brentford star as new No 9

 

Chelsea's striker troubles have been extremely well documented over the years; the Blues have failed to truly replace the consistent supply of goals that Diego Costa brought - and he left seven years ago. 

 

Since then, Chelsea have looked to the likes of Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz for goals, but largely to no avail. 

 

Admittedly, current first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson impressed in his debut campaign with the club last season, scoring 14 Premier League goals, but the Blues still consider the Senegal as a player for the future. What they need, if they are to challenge for a place in the Premier League’s top four, is a 20-goal-a-season striker who can hit the ground running immediately. 

 

 

Perhaps, in the final few days of the summer transfer window, Ivan Toney is that man. Reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon that Chelsea had made a move for the Brentford striker, who, until that stage, looked poised to make a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. 

 

With far less interest than expected over the course of the summer, the Bees have steadily lowered their demands for Toney in a last-ditch attempt to cash in on the England international, who has entered the final year of his contract in west London. 

 

On the face of it, Toney would seem a sensible signing for Chelsea. The 28-year-old is currently in the prime of his career, has a strong scoring record in the Premier League, and should be available at a reasonable price. 

 

Toney is an out-and-out number nine, a striker with impressive link-up play and the ability to connect play in the attacking third. The ex-Newcastle forward would no doubt fit into Enzo Maresca’s side and act as a real focal point for the likes of Cole Palmer, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke to play off.  

 

Despite failing to put together a prolific run of form upon his return from an FA suspension earlier this year, Toney has a strong top-flight scoring record to fall back on. In his first two Premier League campaigns for Brentford, the 28-year-old notched 12 goals, and then 20. Given a full season leading the line for Chelsea, you would back him to at least match that figure - if not better it - particularly when considering the quantity of chances they are likely to create. 

 

With a move for Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion collapsing weeks ago, and talks with Napoli for Victor Osimhen dragging on, it would make sense that Chelsea have turned their attention to Toney. A move for the Brentford forward should prove relatively easy to complete, and the value of his Premier League experience cannot be underestimated. 

 

 

Should Chelsea succeed in their attempts to sign him, particularly at the reasonable price mooted, Toney could soon be looked back on as one of the Blues’ smarter signings under the ownership of Clearlake Capital.

Ivan Toney Stats: Why Chelsea are pursuing Brentford star as new No 9