Chelsea have set their sights on LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David to reinforce their toothless attacking unit.
The Canadian international, 24, hit the back of the net 24 times in Ligue 1 last season, and he was linked with a move away from Lille as a result. However, he stayed put at the club amid intense speculation and has bagged 24 goals in all competitions this season, including 17 goals in 31 Ligue 1 appearances.
Jonathan David is approaching the final year of his contract with Lille, which could open the door for him to leave and join a bigger club in Europe. Even though his current deal expires in 2025, the French club are demanding around €60m for their star forward.
The 24-year-old’s goalscoring exploits in Lille colours haven’t gone unnoticed, with Chelsea and Napoli reportedly interested in his services. The Blues have been monitoring David for quite some time and this could be the summer they table a bid to sign him.
Chelsea eye an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea have endured a largely underwhelming campaign, largely due to their lack of a proven goalscorer. Nicolas Jackson has shown potential in patches since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal last summer, but he is not the man to fire 25-30 goals a season for a top club like Chelsea having squandered so many gilt-edged chances. They have had to rely on Cole Palmer for a regular supply of goals, and despite not being a natural striker, the Englishman has been hugely productive.
In addition, the struggles of Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk, coupled with Christopher Nkunku’s injury problems, serve as another reminder that the Pensioners need a clinical goalscorer to lead their attack next season. In that regard, Lille’s Jonathan David would be a good fit at Chelsea.
David has enjoyed an eye-catching career in Ligue 1, netting 81 goals in 175 appearances for Lille ever since arriving from Belgian club Gent four years ago. Having shown his talent in French football, the Canadian hotshot is seemingly ready to take the next big step in his career. In a way, it is surprising he hasn’t moved from Lille yet, but possibly David’s time will eventually come this summer as Chelsea want him.
The 24-year-old can succeed in the Premier League and prove to be a quality acquisition for Chelsea. The Blues need a clinical goalscorer who is an upgrade on Jackson whilst reducing Palmer’s burden, and David certainly fits the profile. The ex-Gent man will want to test himself at the highest level and a move to Chelsea will be an exciting opportunity for him.
To compete for a top-four spot next season, the Blues must bolster their attack by splashing the cash on David.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
