Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that Chelsea are interested in signing Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson
As reported by The Sun, Chelsea have confirmed their interest in Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, amid widespread speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge. Assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has admitted that the English international’s qualities appeal to the Blues and that he is likely to attract other clubs as well.
Wilson’s stock has been on the rise ever since he joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2014. Having played a key role in the Cherries’ promotion to the Premier League for the first time, and has since been impressing in the English top-flight, although injuries have curtailed his involvement significantly over the last few seasons.
The Englishman though, has been in his elements this season, with a stupendous return of 8 goals and 6 assists in 16 Premier League appearances. In addition to being one of the best players in the top-flight, he has also earned his maiden England cap, which has ultimately attracted one of the biggest clubs in the country – Chelsea.
The Blues’ quick transition under Maurizio Sarri has been nothing short of remarkable. But, the Chelsea boss still needs to iron out a fair few issues before he can create a squad that is worthy enough of challenging on all four fronts on a consistent basis.
One of these positions that Chelsea must bolster is that of the striker. The current options at Sarri’s disposal are Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, neither of whom have managed to contribute to the Blues’ attacking output consistently, while Michy Batshuayi, who is on-loan at Valencia, hasn’t managed to instill a lot of confidence either.
Signing a striker has thus, become a priority for Chelsea, who have identified Wilson as their top target, a player who can also boost their count of homegrown players. And, the West Londoners’ interest in the 26-year-old has now been confirmed by Sarri’s assistant Gianfranco Zola.
“I’m sure there are a lot of players linked with us. Certainly Callum Wilson is doing very well for that club. He is of interest, not only for us but for many. He’s strong, fast and he sees the goal. I like him because he’s quick but also strong in the air, which are very important qualities. Having said that, I don’t want to go too much into it. He’s doing very well and I’m pleased for him.”
Zola’s admittance is not just a rare confirmation of a rumour, but also suggests that Chelsea are serious about signing a top class striker. With Wilson starting to come into his own, landing a player of his abilities could help take some pressure off Eden Hazard, although he is likely to cost a premium, considering he only signed a new long-term deal this past summer.
It now remains to be seen if Chelsea are able to secure the services of their target man, and bolster their attack, especially with Giroud being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
