Chelsea Confident Of Signing 22 Year Old Striker: Is He A Good Option For The Blues? | OneFootball

Chelsea have made another move in the transfer market. With Enzo Maresca on the bench and a clear need to adjust the players in attack, the club have wasted no time. After signing Liam Delap, the sporting director has decided to continue strengthening that area of the field.

The profile sought is clear: youth, mobility, and adaptability in the offensive front. Reports in recent weeks have already pointed to growing interest in Hugo Ekitike. The French striker, who shone with Stade de Reims before his spell in Frankfurt, is back on the radar of a big club. Now, that interest has taken shape.

Chelsea Confident Of Signing Hugo Ekitike

According to Simon Phillips, a journalist specialising in the club’s environment, Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt have been in fluid talks in recent days. The atmosphere between the two sides are positive, and everything points to a deal being reached soon.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – APRIL 26: Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig at Deutsche Bank Park on April 26, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Although there are still some loose ends to tie up, the Blues’ sporting management is confident of sealing the signing of the 22-year-old striker. Ekitike fits the profile Maresca is looking for, both in terms of his age and his ability to play in different areas of the attack. Negotiations are still ongoing, but the feeling at Cobham is optimistic.

Is He A Good Option For The Blues?

From a tactical point of view, Ekitike can offer Chelsea options that are currently lacking in their squad. He has the physique of a center forward, but his long stride and ability to link up with teammates allow him to play out wide. That versatility cannot be taught, it can only be spotted. In addition, his age makes him a bet with room for improvement.

Unlike Delap, who fits a more fixed profile in the area, the Frenchman can generate attacking movements by linking up or attacking open spaces. If Maresca wants to build a flexible team, he needs players like him. However, there is also another interpretation: Ekitike is coming off a lacklustre spell in Germany.

He has not performed at the expected level at Eintracht, which raises doubts about his immediate adaptation to the Premier League. Perhaps the best thing would be to secure a loan with an option to buy and not commit to a permanent transfer from the outset. That way, Chelsea gains margin, and the player gains time. Ultimately, signing him would be a risky decision, but one with potential. If he is surrounded by the right people, he can flourish. If Ekitike is pushed too hard, he can fade away. It will all depend on how he is integrated.