Ivan Toney to Chelsea is most likely to happen in the January transfer window. The West London club are hell-bent on bringing a new striker to Stamford Bridge next year.

According to several reports, the Blues have many strikers on their radar. Of course, they are preparing for life after Nicolas Jackson in January 2024.

The 22-year-old Senegalese No.9 will head for the AFCON with his national team. As a result, the Premier League side will definitely need a new striker to stay afloat.

Therefore, the West London club have started exploring the market for a new striker. Despite the fact that they have Armando and Christopher Nkunku.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have an interest in Ivan Toney, and they have been tracking the English striker. Which means he’s most likely to arrive at Stamford Bridge in January.

The 27-year-old Englishman is going through a lot. He’s currently on a 6-month ban due to gambling. So the central-forward is not playing for Brentford at the moment.

Reportedly, the 27-year-old striker would want to leave the Bees in the January transfer window. As a result, he’s most likely to join Mauricio Pochettino’s troops.

Ivan Toney to Chelsea is most likely to cost around £50 to £60 million. Apparently, the West London club are all set to get his signature during the upcoming January transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino currently has Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, and Christopher Nkunku. However, the club insists on adding another No.9 to the squad.

The Argentine gaffer likes proven Premier League players. Of course, Ivan Toney looks like an ideal central-forward for the West London club at the moment.

Chelsea have been struggling in the final third this season. Despite the fact that they usually possess their opponents, the Blues don’t usually score goals in the game.

As a result, the West London club may be tempted to sign the 27-year-old striker. Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly interested in getting his signature in the January transfer window.

Ivan Toney stats at EPL in 2022-2023 

33 games
20 goals
2 assists
24 goal contributions
0.6 goals per 90
2.8 shots per 90
1.3 shots on target per 90
16 big chances missed
12 big chances created
62% pass accuracy

Ivan Toney to Chelsea: Why Chelsea shouldn’t sign the Englishman

In all fairness, the 27-year-old central-forward is a complete player. He’s a kind of No.9 who dazzled impressively in every game for the Bees in the Premier League.

Ivan Toney is compared to Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. Also, he has been compared to Erling Haaland, Victor Osimhen, and other top strikers in Europe’s top-5 leagues.

Nevertheless, there are many red flags about the 27-year-old Englishman. As a result, the West London club should be very careful before getting his signature in January.

Toney will definitely do well at Chelsea; he’s most unlikely to see him flop at Stamford Bridge. However, he may struggle under Mauricio Pochettino in the second phase of the season.

Regardless, there are some reasons why Ivan Toney to Chelsea shouldn’t happen. Of course, the Blues cannot hold another player flopping in the 2023-2024 campaign.

1. Zero involvement inside the box

The 27-year-old central-forward doesn’t get into the opponent’s box very well. He prefers staying outside the box, linking up with his teammates from the midfield.

However, that’s not the type of No.9 Chelsea needs at the moment. The Blues are poor in the final third, so they need a striker who will get more involved inside the opponent’s box.

Ivan Toney is more like Harry Kane. They both prefer dropping deep into the midfield, acting as attacking midfielders. As a result, they should have a few touches in the box.

The Englishman is similar to Nicolas Jackson, considering their style of play. However, the West London club needs a different kind of striker, someone who will get more involved inside the box.

2. Average shooting prowess

Toney’s shooting ability isn’t elite. As a result, he may do well at a big club like Chelsea. And that’s another red flag for why the West London club should walk away.

That’s the main difference between Ivan Toney and Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich No.9 is an amazing ball striker, but the Bees striker is poor at shooting.

Mauricio Pochettino wants his player to press and create chances inside the opponent’s box. They barely play outside shots because they are missing some ball-striking abilities on the pitch.

The Englishman’s shooting skills cannot help the team’s performance. Because he’s a poor shooter, averaged 1.3 shots on target per 90 minutes last campaign.

3. His style of play 

Frankly, Chelsea’s style of play cannot really accommodate Ivan Toney. The Blues can only dazzle impressively with a ball-striking No.9.

The 27-year-old Englishman is not different from Nicolas Jackson. They both like dropping deep to the midfield and connecting with their teammates on the pitch.

However, the West London club needs someone like Erling Haaland or Victor Osimhen. Who loves to stay inside the opponent’s box, causing havoc.

Since Nicolas Jackson is currently struggling to score goals under Mauricio Pochettino. Toney’s style of play doesn’t really suit the Premier League side.