It might sound like it, but it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to state that this summer has been one of Chelsea’s best in a very long time.
Enzo Maresca’s men came into it as Conference League champions and with Champions League football secured, only to then go and demolish Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
On top of the successes on the pitch, the West Londoners have been incredibly busy off it, welcoming in a host of brilliant players, including striker duo Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
Yet, the Pensioners are not done there, as reports have now linked them with a goalscoring monster who is so dangerous he could be bad news for the two forwards.
Chelsea's summer business
To ensure Maresca’s side can kick on next season, the board have gone out of their way to back the manager over the last month or so.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
On top of the £60m for Pedro and the £30m for Delap, the West Londoners splashed £48m on the dynamic Jamie Gittens, who racked up 17 goal involvements in 49 games for Borussia Dortmund last season.
However, the Blues may have saved their most audacious transfer for last, as they’re now being linked to an incredibly in-demand forward who would possibly be bad news for Pedro and Delap: Hugo Ekitiké.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are one of a number of clubs who admire the Eintracht Frankfurt star.
Newcastle United are currently leading the race for his signature and have seen a £70m offer rejected, but Liverpool and Manchester United are also keen on the player, alongside the Blues, per Jacobs.
In terms of how much he’d ultimately cost, reports from earlier this summer claimed that an offer of around £85m should be enough to tempt the German side into selling.
It would be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but one well worth fighting for, even if it would potentially be bad news for Pedro and Delap.
Why Ekitike could be bad news for Pedro and Delap
The first thing to say is that both Delap and Pedro are incredibly talented forwards, with the former already racking up a goal and an assist in six games for the Blues and the latter doing even better, scoring three goals in three games.
However, when it comes to pure output, the pair pale in comparison to what Ekitike was able to produce last season, and that ultimately is why his arrival could be bad news for their future game time.
For example, in 48 appearances this season, totalling 3644 minutes, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace scored a mammoth 22 goals and provided 12 assists for good measure.
In other words, the 23-year-old machine was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.41 games, or every 107.17 minutes.
In contrast, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 30 appearances, totalling 2136 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games, or every 125.64 minutes.
Appearances
48
30
40
Minutes
3644′
2136′
2670′
Goals
22
10
12
Assists
12
7
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
0.56
0.35
Minutes per Goal Involvement
107.17
125.64′
190.71′
Likewise, the former Ipswich Town gem did well, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 40 appearances, totalling 2670 minutes, but that still comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.85 games, or every 190.71 minutes.
Then, on top of his vastly superior output, the Frankfurt star, whom journalist Graeme Bailey once dubbed the “next Mbappé,” also has the advantage of more top-level experience.
He has made four appearances in the Champions League and 12 in the Europa League, compared to six for the Brazilian and none for the Englishman.
Ultimately, there are enough games in a season for all three to get game time, but should Chelsea sign Ekitike this summer, his outrageous ability in front of goal would surely see Pedro and Delap relegated to second and third choice, respectively.
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ByJack Salveson HolmesJul 16, 2025