Victor Osimhen to Chelsea: Deeney’s 3 reasons he suits Alonso’s side

Victor Osimhen’s qualities have reignited the debate over whether he can solve Chelsea’s long-standing centre-forward problem, with former Watford striker Troy Deeney highlighting the key attributes that make the Nigerian unique.

The Galatasaray striker has previously been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with his admiration for Chelsea legend Didier Drogba adding another layer to the speculation.

Now, Deeney has drawn a direct comparison between the two African forwards, highlighting aspects of Osimhen’s game that go beyond his goalscoring record.

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League meeting with Stuttgart, the former Watford striker explained what he admires most about the 27-year-old.

“People will look at the goals. I look at his work rate. The ability to work that whole backline on his own,” he said.

“He plays one upfront, very similar to Didier Drogba in the fact that he occupies the whole backline, but what he also gives is that he runs in behind.

“He gives you that threat to show, link-up play is really strong, also willing to run the channels on his own.”

Those observations provide three reasons why Osimhen could appeal to Xabi Alonso as Chelsea’s centre-forward.

3 reasons Victor Osimhen suits Alonso’s Chelsea

1. His work rate can lead Chelsea’s press

Deeney’s first point was Osimhen’s willingness to work defenders throughout a match rather than just wait for opportunities inside the penalty area.

The Nigerian’s intensity, physical presence and pressing make him capable of leading the line while putting opposition defenders under pressure.

For Alonso, who favours an aggressive, organised approach to pressing as a coach, having a forward willing to initiate that work is very important.

Osimhen’s energy could help Chelsea press higher and force opponents into mistakes, while giving the team an outlet when possession is recovered.

2. His runs in behind

The second quality is Osimhen’s movement behind defensive lines. Deeney highlighted the striker’s ability to run in behind, an attribute that could complement Chelsea’s creative midfielders like Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

Alonso’s teams often look to create space through positional rotations and quick combinations. A striker capable of attacking the space behind defenders would give Chelsea another way to penetrate compact opposition defences.

Rather than relying entirely on intricate passing, Osimhen could turn a well-timed forward pass into a goalscoring opportunity.

3. His link-up play

Deeney also praised Osimhen’s ability to show for the ball, link up with teammates and run into the channels, making him a well-rounded striker.

That versatility is important because the Nigerian is not restricted to playing with his back to goal or attacking crosses.

He can move away from central defenders, create space for advancing teammates and still arrive in the penalty area to finish attacks.

It is a combination of qualities that could make him useful in a system requiring the centre-forward to contribute to the collective attack.

Could Osimhen finally become Chelsea’s Drogba successor?

The comparison is interesting because Osimhen has openly acknowledged Drogba’s influence on his development.

In an interview with UEFA, the former Napoli striker described the Ivorian as his footballing inspiration and explained that he tried to model aspects of his game on the former Chelsea striker.

Chelsea’s previous interest in Osimhen, during his time at Napoli, also makes the connection familiar. However, Deeney’s comments are an assessment of the player’s qualities, not confirmation of renewed negotiations with the London club.

Whether Chelsea revisit their interest remains to be seen, but Deeney’s three observations explain why Osimhen could offer Alonso more than a prolific goalscorer.