Chelsea’s striker solution? Arsenal target exactly what Blues are missing

Robin Bairner

• 20 Apr 2023 15:25 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea’s search for a new striker has seen them linked with numerous players from across Europe, but one of the most promising leads for the Blues is Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.

Juve beat Arsenal in a race to sign the Serbia international in January 2022, paying €82 million to beat the Gunners for a forward who had thrived previously with Fiorentina.

Since moving to Turin, Vlahovic has struggled to hit the same heights and is seriously linked with a summer move away from a side that looks unlikely to be playing Champions League football next season.

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Of course, Chelsea will not be involved in European competition either, but the 23-year-old looks a smart fit for the Blues, who are set for a major summer transfer overhaul, despite spending more than €600 million in the last two transfer windows.

Data analytics experts SciSports have explained just why Vlahovic and Chelsea together makes such sense.

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Why Vlahovic is perfect for Chelsea

Vlahovic is a strong fit for Chelsea’s playing style, according to the experts, mirroring the type of forward that has typically been used at Stamford Bridge in terms of approach over the last two seasons.

Where he holds the edge over his predecessors, though, is that he behaves as a poacher. He is primarily involved in offensive actions within the penalty area, often receiving the ball and shooting within the box. This type of presence is exactly what Chelsea are missing offensively.

He is used to leading the line on his own as well as being part of a front two. That flexibility will mean that he will most likely be a good formation fit for any new Chelsea manager.

Vlahovic, who scored 24 Serie A goals last season, is expected to be available for around the price that Juventus paid for him, though that is marginally above his top-end Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) estimate.