Chelsea could be preparing themselves for another centre-forward arrival as Enzo Maresca’s decision on squad numbers is confirmed.
The Blues have been incredibly busy in the summer transfer window and added a striker to their squad this week. Former loanee Joao Felix has arrived at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis for a fee in the region of £44.5m from Atletico Madrid.
As such, there had been speculation that he could be the Blues’ answer to the centre-forward gap in the squad. However, FL understands the Portuguese will be wearing the No.14 this season.
The striker wore this number last season at Barcelona. but before that. appeared to have no affiliation with the number at all. That is why it is surprising he would choose that number again particularly when the No.9 shirt remains available.
Such a decision hints that Chelsea could be looking to add another striker to their squad to fill that number. Should this be the case, the favourite to take that number would be Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian has handed in a transfer request at the Serie A side and his club are trying to engineer a move for him before the deadline on Friday, August 30. Once Osimhen does leave, Napoli’s boss Antonio Conte is thought to be targeting Romelu Lukaku as his replacement.
Considering the Belgian is Chelsea’s player, there is wide belief that the Blues could come to an arrangement which sees Osimhen join and Lukaku depart. Providing an update on the deal for the striker at the weekend, Napoli’s director Giovanni Manna insisted that progress had stalled.
“It’s an objective fact, what the coach said, the situation is blocked,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia. “Victor is an important player, with an important value and conditions.
“His desire is clear. We tried to maintain the integrity of the squad at this moment.
“We are not the only club in this situation and we’ll see what happens over the next ten days.” Pedro Neto, the other recent signing, is understood to be Chelsea’s No.7 this season.
