Viktor Gyokeres, Osimhen and Karim Benzema: Chelsea's £100m transfer targets compared to current strikers

With the season just about halfway through, Chelsea is only two league wins away from equaling the total number of wins they had in the entire last season, so there is some progress, even if there is a feeling that the manager is not getting more from the players at his disposal. But is he?

LondonWorld understands that the club is in the market for a striker, but they will first have to sell before they can make a significant investment in a number nine. This is the reason why the rumors of a sale of midfielder Conor Gallagher just never seem to go away.

In the league, they have managed nine wins, suffered eight defeats, and scored 31 goals. However, could they have scored more and won more with a proven goalscorer? In the recent match against Fulham last weekend, Carney Chukwuemeka ended up playing as the striker after Armando Broja was withdrawn.

Cole Palmer initially filled the void after Broja's departure, but his subsequent exit meant that Chukwuemeka had to step into the role. Every great Chelsea team in the past has had top strikers, and it's only a matter of time before co-owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, and José E. Feliciano open their checkbook again.

They have been linked to Viktor Gyokeres, Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen, Roberto Firmino, and Karim Benzema, but the question remains: Are any of these strikers an upgrade over what they already have?

A table comparing the league form of Chelsea players and those they are linked to:

Karim Benzema:

Benzema is the most experienced among all the strikers that have been linked in the first half of this transfer window, and he's a proven goalscorer with incredible technique. He would add leadership to this team and will be encouraged by his first taste of Premier League football.

Downside: Age and the fact that he won't come cheap.

Viktor Gyokeres:

The former Coventry striker is making a big name for himself in Portugal, and he fits the model, being just 25 years old. He's tall and could also be hungry with a point to prove after failing to make the grade at places like Brighton and Swansea City.

Downside: He would be a very expensive purchase.

Ivan Toney:

Premier League-proven and desperately angling for a big move, as evidenced by his change of agent. He almost guarantees goals and will give Chelsea another weapon in attack. He hasn't played all season due to his ban, but there is no doubting his ability.

Downside: He would be expensive, and there are concerns about his age.

Roberto Firmino

Another who comes in with Premier League experience and even though he doesn't guarantee goals he does have this ability to bring the best out of others. He could also be the calm head in attack players like Jackson and Broja could learn from. 

Downside: Age is not on his side and his wages might be incredibly high.

Victor Osimhen

The reigning African Player of the Year will play in the Premier League at some point but will it be Chelsea. He's likened to Didier Drogba and has the physique and potential to be the second coming of the Chelsea legend. Big, tall and technically gifted, Osimhem could be the final piece of the Chelsea puzzle. 

Downside: Expensive and lack of Premier League experience could be a risk.