With Xabi Alonso now announced as the new Chelsea manager, set to take over in pre-season, it finally gives fans the hope they have been craving.

Ever since Enzo Maresca walked away from Stamford Bridge, things have been going from bad to worse. Liam Rosenior's PE teacher vibe did not go down well and after a series of dismal defeats, he was relieved of his duties just days before an FA Cup semi-final.

Lo and behold, interim boss Calum McFarlane failed to steer them to cup victory last Saturday. Chelsea's campaign has fallen away in quite disastrous style.

However, to BlueCo's credit, they could not have brought in a better option than Alonso. There was not a more standout option available on the managerial market right now than the Spaniard. It's an appointment that's sure to make plenty in the Premier League envy, not least Liverpool.

Will he be given more control over recruitment? It remains to be seen.

Chelsea looking to bolster their forward line

It's safe to say that the Blues' recent recruitment has been distinctly average. They have signed plenty of wingers without ever strengthening what they have at their diposal. Their centre-back options have also left plenty to be desired this season.

Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro all stand out as impressive captures, but there is not a lot to shout about beyond that.

Pedro could also be leaving. Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona are in the market to sign a new striker in light of Robert Lewandowski's departure. Pedro is one of the players they have earmarked.

As a result, Chelsea must be on the hunt for their own market opportunities and could spot one in the form of Victor Osimhen.

They have held a long-term interest in the Nigerian but this could finally be the summer he moves to the Bridge. Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, they are 'in the mix' to sign the centre forward from Turkish side Galatasaray.

Chelsea are one of a number of teams to have been approached by the player's camp who are exploring 'elite level opportunities' for Osimhen across the continent.

An £87m asking price could complicate matters, as could interest from Real Madrid and from Barca.

How Osimhen compares to Pedro

Signed from Brighton last summer, Pedro has been one of the few bright sparks from a drab term at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old has played 49 times, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. That said, towards the back end of the campaign, his powers have begun to wane. Whose haven't at Chelsea?

Across his last five Premier League matches, the striker has only scored once. It's come at a really poor time for McFarlane's side who have not won a league match for two months.

For Pedro, you could argue that this is a player who has never been a true out and out centre-forward, a ruthless centre-forward capable of bullying and relentlessly dominating an opposition.

Sure, he was impressive at Brighton last season, but he did only score ten times for the Seagulls. Osimhen, on the other hand, is a natural born goalscorer. He knows where the back of the net and he's been doing it at the top level for a number of years now.

Aged 27, the Gala forward has been described by fellow Nigerian Peter Etebo as "one of the best strikers in the world" and it's easy to see why.

In 2024/25, Osimhen scored a ridiculous 37 times in 39 matches. This term he has slowed down but he still has more goals than Pedro, beating the goalkeeper on 22 occasions in 33 outings.

The fact of the matter is that the former Napoli star is up there with some of the finest goalscorers the game has seen in the last decade.

In Naples, he helped the Italian side to a famous Serie A title in 2022/23. During that season, the Nigeria international scored 31 times. The campaign before he was the scorer of 18 goals and the year after lifting the title, he netted 17 times.

Chelsea have not had that level of goalscoring from a striker since the days of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa; that's how impressive a signing this could be. It would be totally transformational and a huge signal of intent early into the days of Alonso's reign.