Ramsdale struggles, Osimhen blanks - How Chelsea's summer transfer targets performed this weekend

Cameron Smith

11 Mar 2024 11:05 GMT
5 min read

Aaron Ramsdale, Victor Osimhen, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea have spent well over €1 billion since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali became co-owners in 2022, but that vast investment has seen no reward thus far.

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The Blues have slid backwards despite the huge number of new signings to arrive over the past 18 months and they are targeting yet more additions this summer.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through how 10 of Chelsea’s summer transfer targets performed during the most recent set of fixtures.

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP continued their fine form in the Portuguese top flight with a 3-0 win against Arouca on Sunday, with Chelsea target Viktor Gyokeres grabbing one goal and one assist.

The Sweden international’s goal was a simple three-yard tap-in and he did miss two big chances, while he underperformed his xG of 1.47. But, it was another encouraging performance from one of Europe’s most in-form players.

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen was a massive disappointment during Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Torino and his performance on Friday night is a cause for concern.

He may have recently netted a hat-trick against Sassuolo, but Nigeria international looks a little disinterested as things stands and he certainly hasn’t been as electrifying as last season. Osimhen clearly wants a summer move away, but his form is worrying.

Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane Diomande was an absolute rock in Sporting’s 3-0 win over Arouca. The Ivorian helped Ruben Amorim’s side keep a clean sheet, while he won all nine of his attempted ground duels and completed a huge eight tackles.

Diomande also only lost possession eight times during a masterful performance. Chelsea’s long-term Thiago SIlva heir?

Aaron Ramsdale

David Raya was ineligible to face his parent club Brentford, meaning Aaron Ramsdale stepped in. However, the England international was entirely at fault for Yoane Wissa’s goal after he cleared the ball into the Brentford man, who deflected it into the net.

He made two fine saves during the second-half, but it would’ve been a catastrophe if Ivan Toney’s ambitious long-shot had sailed over Ramsdale’s head and his save from a Nathan Collins header was good, however it was a stop that the Englishman should always have made.

Chelsea will now have doubts over signing the Arsenal man.

Nico Williams

Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in signing Nico Williams, and he delivered on his promise with an assist during Athletic Club’s 2-0 win against Las Palmas on Sunday.

Faced with two defenders on the left wing, Williams cut inside and delivered a lofty cross to the back post, which was nicely headed home by Gorka Guruzeta.

The young Spaniard now has six goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

Milos Kerkez

Milos Kerkez recently dropped a strange social media post hinting at a summer move to Chelsea, although the Blues will have been left slightly disappointed by his performance against Sheffield United.

The Hungarian was hooked at half-time after a first-half that included a yellow card and zero completed crosses from five attempts. It wasn’t an awful performance, but his replacement Dango Ouattara was far more impressive - scoring once and assisting once as Bournemouth completed a late comeback.

Antonee Robinson

From one left-back target to another. Antonee Robinson is wanted by both Chelsea and Liverpool, with the American catching the eye for Fulham this season.

This weekend, he played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 2-1 loss to Wolves, making four tackles and three clearances as Gary O’Neil’s side. It was a fairly average performance from Robinson, however he was outshone by Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Archie Brown

Gent defender Archie Brown is another left-back on Chelsea’s radar. The 21-year-old played 90 minutes at left-wing-back during Gent’s 1-1 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise.

He completed four dribbles in the match, but he was dribbled past two times, failed to make a tackle and lost possession 24 times. A mixed afternoon for Brown.

Antonio Nusa

Antonio Nusa did not play this weekend. The Norwegian Neymar is currently sidelined through a hamstring injury.

He has played just 1,587 minutes from a possible 4,230 so far this season, although Chelsea are reportedly still interested in signing him this summer following his failed move to Brentford in January.