Chelsea battling for PL star with “similarities” to Drogba

Chelsea have scored 45 goals to this point this season, averaging 16.1 shots per game and averaging 57.7% possession – thus rating fourth within the division in all of these metrics. Nevertheless, the Blues have solely scored eight targets of their final seven Premier League video games, with Nicolas Jackson not scoring a single purpose in that point.

Jackson has made 23 appearances under Enzo Maresca so far this season, scoring 9 targets, offering 5 assists and totalling 1,726 minutes performed.

Nevertheless, with all 9 of these targets coming within the first 16 video games of the Premier League, Chelsea have struggled in current weeks to stay the ball at the back of the web, not having the ability to flip to a pure second striker choice.

Christopher Nkunku has been used because the backup striker to Jackson this season, however this clearly is not his pure place, which has seen the Blues’ efficiency ranges drop at any time when the Frenchman joins the motion because the centre-forward. Subsequently, might Chelsea look to handle these points within the ultimate few days of the January switch window?

Chelsea’s seek for a striker

In line with reports from The Guardian, Chelsea have joined the race for Brighton striker, Evan Ferguson, who might depart the membership on mortgage or on a everlasting deal this month.

The 20-year-old has additionally been topic to curiosity from West Ham, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bournemouth, Everton and Tottenham.

The stories state a charge of round £40m could possibly be sufficient to safe the younger striker, however it’s unclear whether or not Chelsea are inquisitive about a mortgage or everlasting deal. Paul Winstanley, who was beforehand working at Brighton and is now Chelsea’s co-sporting director, might play a giant half on this deal within the ultimate days of the window.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson scores their second goal

Ferguson has made 14 appearances for Brighton this season, scoring one purpose and totalling 373 minutes performed, struggling for constant minutes below Fabian Hurzeler to this point this season.

How Ferguson compares to Liam Delap

One other striker who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea – and can be enjoying within the Premier League already – is Ipswich City’s Liam Delap. The 21-year-old has made 23 appearances so far this season, scoring eight targets, offering two assists and totalling 1,705 minutes performed.

Ferguson (22/23) vs Delap vs Jackson comparability
Stats (per 90 minutes)	Ferguson	Delap	Jackson
Targets	0.67	0.43	0.48
Assists	0.20	0.11	0.27
xG	0.50	0.34	0.60
Progressive Carries	1.04	1.88	2.14
Progressive Passes	1.32	0.97	1.34
Photographs Whole	3.09	1.87	3.26
Targets/Shot	0.22	0.17	0.15
Key Passes	1.04	0.91	1.23
Shot-Creating Actions	2.08	2.20	3.10
Aerial Duels Gained	0.85	1.77	0.64
Stats taken from FBref

When evaluating Ferguson’s break-through season metrics with these of Delap and Jackson, you’ll be able to see the Republic of Eire worldwide has a excessive stage of scientific ending, scoring 0.67 targets per 90, overperforming his xG (0.50 per 90) and averaging a 0.22 targets/shot ratio per 90.

Anticipated Targets (xG) is a metric designed to measure the chance of a shot leading to a purpose.

Ferguson has been in comparison with Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba in sure features of his recreation, with journalist Pete O’Rourke stating he has “similarities” to the Ivorian, by way of a participant who can lead the entrance line on his personal, and be finisher.

With Drogba having netted 164 goals in 381 games throughout two spells for the membership, that comparability definitely bodes nicely.

While many hyperlinks have positioned Delap as Chelsea’s number one target, the very fact he’s doubtless unavailable till the summer time might drive their fingers to make a transfer for Ferguson this month, with a purpose to strengthen the squad for the second half of the upcoming marketing campaign.