Chelsea are urged to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Speaking to The Times (h/t Metro), former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has urged the club to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the coming summer, presumably to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Chelsea signed Aubameyang from Barcelona on the deadline day of the last summer window. The former Arsenal marksman has struggled to produce the goods here, scoring only three goals in 17 appearances.
To add doubts over his future, manager Graham Potter has dropped him from the Champions League squad for the knockout stages. Although the latest report suggests that Aubameyang is ready to fight for a spot at Chelsea rather than moving to the MLS, his future beyond this summer can be termed as ‘doubtful’.
Here’s what Cascarino said when asked about a striker Chelsea can sign (h/t Metro):
“Chelsea are so close to getting it right under Graham Potter.
“Their performance away to West Ham – particularly in the first 20 minutes – was much improved but they are still crying out for a striker. Ivan Toney could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
“With runners off him such as Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix and quality deliveries into the box, the Brentford forward would thrive at Chelsea.
“He is so strong in the air, loves to get in behind and has the confidence and swagger to succeed at a top club.”
While it was another game where Chelsea dropped points on Saturday, the performance looked better compared to the last few weeks. The attack is slowly coming to the fore with the likes of Joao Felix shining in that number 10 position.
But, goal-scoring remains an issue. Aubameyang was not in the squad for the West Ham United game despite him being fit and not in the Champions League squad for the upcoming game against Borussia Dortmund.
Kai Havertz is not doing enough in that number nine position. Potter could do with a proven striker who knows where the back of the net consistently.
Looking at how well Toney has played for Brentford this season, it makes sense as to why Cascarino wants Chelsea to sign him. The England international has scored 15 goals and assisted four in 22 games in all competitions for the Bees.
The 26-year-old is an all-round striker who is good aerially, can make runs in behind, can work with rapid runners in and around and knows how to score every type of goal.
More Chelsea News:
- Joao Felix discusses his feelings following his two Chelsea games
- Chelsea have signed Southampton academy player Jimmy-Jay Morgan on transfer deadline day
- Graham Potter urges Chelsea to focus their attention on Borussia Dortmund
There are doubts about his future though, with umpteen betting charges put in. If he is cleared of that in the summer, Chelsea should explore the possibility to sign him.