Firmino and Benzema on Chelsea's January shortlist as Blues target 'IMMEDIATE' impact

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 15 Jan 2024 08:17 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea’s hunt for a striker is set to lead them to Roberto Firmino and Karim Benzema this month, with the unhappy Saudi Pro League pair both potential loan options for the Stamford Bridge side.

Although the Blues’ goal-scoring this season has improved compared to last, the lack of a regular goal-getter is a clear weakness in Mauricio Pochettino’ side, particularly with big-money summer arrival Christopher Nkunku having been dogged by injury problems.

The Telegraph reports that Chelsea are seeking a quick fix to these issues and are looking to repeat the type of loan move they made for Joao Felix at this time last season.

The thinking at Stamford Bridge is that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are too expensive to sign at this juncture, while other options from Portugal and the Netherlands, where Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez has been linked with the club, are simply too risky to move for.

This has led Chelsea to consider a move for former Liverpool forward Firmino or potentially Ballon d’Or winner Benzema.

Pochettino, meanwhile, has not made a request for a new striker this month, it is claimed.

Stars unhappy in Saudi

Both Firmino and Benzema moved to the Saudi Pro League last summer on huge contracts, to Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad respectively, but are among a number of players who have reportedly grown unsettled with life in the country.

Indeed, Benzema was only in Saudi Arabia for a matter of weeks before reports emerged of his disquiet, and these have only amplified over recent times. Despite scoring 12 goals in 20 matches, his performances have been considered to be underwhelming while he is reportedly unhappy at the level of his teammates.

He returned back from the winter break late, claiming that he had been trapped in Mauritius by a cyclone, only adding fuel to the fire of supporters angry at his level of professionalism. Despite this, Marca reports that Al-Ittihad want to keep him.

Jordan Henderson, a former Liverpool teammate of Firmino, is set to move back to Europe this month, with Ajax and Juventus vying over his signature, and the England midfielder is unlikely to be the only player returning this month.

The door certainly seems to be open for Chelsea to make a move, and given their predicament as they sit ninth in the Premier League standings, both Firmino and Benzema look attractive options.