Mauricio Pochettino has refuted suggestions that Chelsea need to sign a new striker in the January transfer window.
Chelsea have consistently struggled to make the most of their chances throughout Pochettino’s first season in charge, with issues with form and availability hampering their forwards.
Nicolas Jackson has been criticised for his wastefulness despite netting seven Premier League goals since arriving from Villarreal, and the Blues could be without him until mid-February due to his inclusion in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.
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Christopher Nkunku, meanwhile, has only made three league appearances since joining from RB Leipzig, and he is back on the sidelines with a hip injury after missing the first four months of the season with a knee problem.
On Friday, Pochettino admitted he was “worried” about Nkunku’s fitness woes and said Chelsea “will see the situation” in comments viewed by some as indicative of a desire to sign a striker.
Evan Ferguson, Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and Santiago Gimenez have all been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, but Pochettino says he has never called for an attacking addition.
“I think you know very well I don’t talk about rumours,” Pochettino said following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Fulham, Chelsea’s third in a row in the Premier League.
“I am never going to talk about players who are at a different club. I am so respectful, so we are not talking.
Mauricio Pochettino has spoken after Chelsea recorded three league wins in a row for the first time since October 2022 ???? pic.twitter.com/mzU88u42s2
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 13, 2024
“We are assessing the squad and if something happens, we will communicate, but at the moment, we didn’t take any decisions.
“I never said that we need a centre-forward. Because after that we create a problem, me with my people. I never said that.
“I didn’t say yesterday in my press conference that we need [a striker]. I said that we are working like every other club, trying to assess the market, all the different situations that can appear.
“The most important thing is this club is ready to act in one direction or another, but I never said we need to add another player to the squad.”
Mauricio was pleased with the professionalism shown in this afternoon’s victory. ????️#CFC | #CheFul pic.twitter.com/td2iTpIMmD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2024
