Chelsea's Big Gamble: €50m Bid for Low-Scoring Striker

 

The Blues are looking for offensive reinforcements and have already had one bid for the 20-year-old rejected.

As has been evident, a new center-forward is one of Chelsea's top goals during this summer's transfer market. 

Even if Nicolas Jackson's detractors were somewhat dissuaded as the previous season went on, he is still a work in progress. He would benefit from having some of the scoring pressure removed.

The Blues have been connected to several big stars with formidable goal-scoring histories over the last few months. 

For instance, Feyenoord sensation Santiago Gimenez, RB Leipzig sensation Benjamin Sesko, and Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen.

However, as the transfer window started and Enzo Maresca took over as manager, Chelsea supporters were forced to drastically lower their expectations. 

First, Jhon Duran of Aston Villa, who only managed five goals in the Premier League the previous season, was being linked to a transfer to Stamford Bridge. Samu Omorodion was then connected.

According to reports from June, Chelsea made an offer for the Atletico Madrid player that might have cost up to €40 million (£34 million/£43 million) after add-ons were considered. 

Los Rojiblancos rejected the deal. Blues supporters rushed to Google to learn more about their possible new No. 9 as the unexpected news broke. Nor would their findings have given them much cause for optimism.

The fact that Omorodion only managed eight goals in his previous campaign may make it difficult to understand why Chelsea has renewed their interest in the center-forward. 

However, Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that the club may be prepared to pay as much as €50 million (£43 million/$55 million) to complete a deal. 

But as GOAL has shown by exploring his past, there's more to the physically gifted attacker than first meets the eye.

Omorodion was born to Nigerian parents in Melilla, an autonomous Spanish city on the coast of North Africa that borders Morocco.

 When he was a little child, his family relocated to the mainland. He first joined the local team AD Nervion in his hometown of Sevilla, but three hours away, in 2021, he signed with Granada.

He attended a specialized football camp in the summer of 2022 to work out some kinks in his game, and the following season, he had an explosive season for the club's Under-19 squad. 

After racking up 14 goals in 29 games during the regular season, Omorodion emerged victorious in the Segunda Federation promotion play-offs.

He would score three goals in the two-leg semifinal matchup with Utebo FC, then one more in the second leg of the championship match to secure Granada's promotion. 

His accomplishments were sufficient to land him a five-year contract and the attention of other Premier League teams.

Omorodion impressed enough in the preseason after establishing himself with the reserve squad for Granada to give him a surprise start in their La Liga opener against Atletico Madrid. 

And if that wasn't shocking enough, he scored a goal to commemorate his senior debut!

Gonzalo Villar fizzed a vicious pass across the front post after Atleti committed a careless mistake on their own end. Omorodion raced past his defender to head the ball into the net. 

His large physique falling forward after an overzealous effort at a knee-slide, his celebration was exactly what you would expect from a 19-year-old scoring an equalizer against Atletico on their inaugural start.

For Omorodion, too, things were about to get even better. A few days later, the attacker signed a five-year contract in the Spanish capital after Atletico Madrid exercised the €6 million (£5 million/$6.4 million) release clause.

 However, he wouldn't even have time to settle in at the Metropolitano because Atleti would immediately send him to Alaves on loan.

Omorodion settled with his new surroundings somewhat slowly at first. Kike Garcia, a more seasoned striker, was initially preferred up front, with his less seasoned teammate having to settle for substitute roles in his first four games. But eventually, his moment arrived.

When Omorodion did receive a start against Celta Vigo in late September, he took advantage of the opportunity to equalize the score 17 minutes from the end. Omorodion would become his team's go-to striker during the ensuing months, but things weren't always easy. 

Alaves were in danger of relegation after a wobbly first half to the season, but their incredible center-forward's form enabled them to escape the drop zone after Christmas.

With eight goals under his belt by February, Omorodion's team was virtually safe. But after that, personally, things fell apart. Omorodion would add zero to this total in his final twelve Liga games.

At this point, it's important to note that he wasn't the only Alaves player who had trouble finishing the previous season with high-scoring totals. 

They were among the most defensive teams in La Liga under Luis Garcia, with only Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Mallorca, and demoted Cadiz scoring fewer goals than them. 

No team in the competition averaged less than 41.8 percent of the possession total. Despite everything, Omorodion can still feel proud of himself because he was easily the team's leading scorer.

Spain called him up for the Olympics after finishing the season with Atletico Madrid, and he scored a late consolation goal in his team's group-stage loss to Egypt.

Omorodion is a physical fit for the Premier League. In addition to his 6'4 height, he has a strong build that helps him repel opponents. 

He can drive forward and is very difficult to take down when he has the ball with his back to the goal. This helped a team like Alaves, who relieved some pressure by using him as an out ball.

Omorodion's skill in the final third is demonstrated by the fact that most of his goals from the previous season came from within the box.

Omorodion is quite swift for his height, especially in the opening five yards or so. This indicates that he is excellent at separating himself from defenders in crowded areas. 

Theoretically, Omorodion should have an abundance of excellent opportunities if the balls entering the box are high enough caliber. His anticipated goals statistics from the previous campaign supported this: he scored 0.51 xG every 90 minutes.

There are grounds to be optimistic, even though he significantly underperformed his XG in La Liga indicates that he is not yet at his best in shooting. 

His strikes were evenly distributed over his head, left foot, and right foot, indicating the skilled presence he could develop with the right coaching.