The controversial dismissal of Antonio Conte from Chelsea’s managerial role led to criticism and objections. However, their sublime form under new boss Maurizio Sarri has put an end to all fault-finding, and the Blues have maintained an unbeaten streak across all competitions ever since the Community Shield defeat against Manchester City in the season opener. They are pretty much in Premier League title race alongside favourites Citizens and Liverpool but require attacking reinforcements, particularly in a ‘number 9’ role to keep pushing for silverwares.
As per latest reports, Sarri is keen on landing Callum Wilson, the AFC Bournemouth striking sensation who has earned his maiden senior call-up for the Three Lions after a blistering inception of the new campaign. The 26-year-old centre-forward only penned a new deal back in July to stretch his stay until summer 2022, but a fee of around £35m is too remunerative for the Cherries to turn down due to financial limitations.
Chelsea are in desperate need of a targetman despite the presence of Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud who have been impressive of late but lack consistency as well as impact high up the pitch. The scarcity of an outright goal-scorer in the transfer market refrained the Blues from wrapping up a deal in the summer. However, Wilson might just solve the purpose for them by getting accustomed to ‘Sarriball’.
Eddie Howe, the Cherries boss, is known for his exciting brand of football that earned minnows Bournemouth a massive uprise in Premier League and the Englishman is proving instrumental in their attacking third having scored six times and assisted four times more in 11 league outings. He is not only good as a targetman but also works hard to snatch possession and link up with fellow attackers – an attribute most suited in Sarri’s system.
Wilson, meanwhile, has a past history of significant injury woes having ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of both of his knees which restricted his game time to 61 league outings over past three campaigns since earning a top-flight promotion. But the marksman had an immediate impact since completing a £3m switch from boyhood side Coventry City as he scripted a 20-goal season back in 2014-15 and guided the Dorset-based outfit to secure a place among England’s elites.
A similar run of form is inspiring Bournemouth to fight for a place in Europe and Wilson, securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad, must keep up the good work for next couple of months to ensure a more ambitious transfer at Stamford Bridge. The figure quoted in rumours is moderate in today’s inflated market, and the investment on this Bournemouth sensation is a gamble worth-risking for the London giants.
