Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has defended the club’s decision not to sign a new striker in the January transfer window.
The Blues wanted to spend big on a striker last summer and were chasing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen until the final hours of the window, only to eventually walk away from negotiations. They did not sign an alternative and also declined to reinforce that area of the pitch in January.
In hindsight, with both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu picking up injuries on deadline day which will keep them out of action for several more weeks, Chelsea’s decision not to strengthen has attracted plenty of criticism, but Boehly insisted finding the right fit for the team is not something that can be rushed.
He told the FT Business of Football Summit: “Strikers are hard to find. You don’t go into the grocery store and say, ‘I am going to get a striker’. It is an amazing skill set and you have to have the right mentality.”
Chelsea’s transfer strategy, which involves around investing in young players on long-term contracts, has also been criticised by fans and rivals alike, but Boehly insisted they remain committed to their long-term model.
“What we were really thinking about is how you put together a team that has the ability to stay together,” he explained. “When you read about the teams who were the dynasties over the years, they had superstar captains that really led them. What you’re trying to find is that superstar captain.”
