7AM: Chelsea star fights his teammate ahead of new season as £210,000-per-week striker now thinks Chelsea is the best move possible for him
The fact that Chelsea has nearly as many players at the Copa America as at the Euros is the clearest indication of the team’s new era.
Our two midfield players, valued at £100 million, participated in the South American tournament and squared off in the quarterfinal last night. Argentina, led by Enzo Fernandez, and Ecuador, by Moises Caicedo, fought to a tie. The World Cup winners ultimately qualified at the expense of the Andean nation after they were only able to split apart on penalties.
Caicedo ultimately wins out and gets to begin his vacation early, but he won’t be pleased about it. The former Brighton player can be happy of his achievement at the tournament after fighting valiantly in the middle for a proud Ecuadorian squad that performed incredibly well. He was also named to the group stage roster.
The most important thing is that he survived, perhaps with only minor injuries. He may now leave for a crucial few weeks of recovery before starting the preseason under Enzo Maresca, which will already be underway by then.
Enzo’s truncated summer is a big risk
For Enzo, it’s the opposite. He goes through, with his Argentina team the heavy favourites to win the whole thing. A weak Brazil team have cleared the way, and we really don’t expect to see Enzo returning until the tournament is finished.
The good news is that the hernia which kept him out of the end of the season and required surgery doesn’t seem to be bothering him. Let’s face it, this is hardly an ideal preparation for him ahead of a new season – an injury, a tournament with his country, a truncated holiday and shortened preseason.
To think he also wanted to play in the Olympics directly after this…
£210,000-per-week striker now thinks Chelsea is the best move possible for him
Osimhen thinks Chelsea is best possible transfer for him
That is according to HITC, who also claim that Osimhen believes Chelsea is the best possible move for him this summer. Maresca’s side are maintaining an interest in the £210,000-per-week striker, and have opened lines of communication with Osimhen’s representatives.
However, they are only willing to do a deal for under £100 million, so unless De Laurentiis softens his stance, then this deal looks set to be on ice for the time being.
Interestingly, the African has drawn comparisons with Ronaldo.
“Victor is a crazy driving force, as soon as you put a competition on the pitch he wants to win, he brings his team, a bit like Cristiano calls his team,” said former Napoli boss Rudi Garcia.
“He’s among the best center forwards in the world. I’ve read that other clubs wanted him. He is great in the attack, and he defends and presses like crazy.”