Chelsea are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Karim Benzema or Roberto Firmino on loan to remedy their goal-scoring difficulties.
With the Blues’ summer signings yet to prove themselves this season, the club are reportedly looking to the Saudi Pro League to find a temporary solution. But if the prospect of seeing Benzema at Stamford Bridge is enough to excite Chelsea fans, the former Real Madrid player is considered too important to the Pro League project to be released from Al-Ittihad.
The most realistic candidates are Firmino, who has struggled to settle in at Al-Ahli, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who remains a fan favorite at west London club Fulham. Chelsea’s goal tally has improved compared to last season, but the Blues are still struggling to make the most of possession and the chances they create. While owners Clearlake have focused on youth in their transfer market so far, their relationship with Saudi investment group PIF – which owns four of the SPL’s top clubs – could pave the way for a seasoned striker who would bring seasoned experience to Chelsea’s forward line.
While Chelsea have a rich history of goalscoring strikers and midfielders, the only player to score 20 Premier League goals for the club in the last 13 seasons is Diego Costa, who reached the mark in 2014/15 and again in 2016/17. Pochettino has plenty of time on the training pitch to see if he can make his current attacking group work. Chelsea will not return to competition until next Tuesday, in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough.
