Why Chelsea must plot a summer swoop for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson

Back in October 2019, the Sun had claimed that Chelsea were preparing to sign Bournemouth star Callum Wilson in the January transfer window. However, no deal materialised last month.

The Blues were slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA, which started at the end of last season and was set to be carried through until this summer.

The west London outfit were banned from registering any new players over the age of 16 after a probe found they breached regulations over signing youth players. However, Chelsea’s transfer ban was lifted and yet, they failed to bring in any new players.

Considering they didn’t sign any players in the last two transfer windows coupled with Eden Hazard’s departure to Real Madrid last summer, Frank Lampard has done a commendable job at the club.

After failing to sign a player last month, Chelsea have started planning for the next season by signing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. While Ziyech will add value to Frank Lampard’s attacking ranks, having produced 8 goals and 21 assists in 32 matches across all competitions this season, the Londoners must add a prolific goalscorer in the summer.

Chelsea have done well to score 45 goals in 27 games, thanks majorly to Tammy Abraham, who has led his team’s attack with aplomb. Abraham has netted 13 goals in 25 league games; however, the 22-year-old has struggled with injuries of late.

In Abraham’s absence, neither Michy Batshuayi nor Olivier Giroud has delivered the goals for Lampard’s side. Plus, Giroud is out of contract at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether or not he is handed a contract extension.

Goals have dried up in the last few weeks for Chelsea and it’s a no-brainer for Lampard to sign a striker ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. Having said that, the Blues must reignite their interest in Callum Wilson during the summer transfer window.

Wilson, 28, has been hugely important for Bournemouth over the last few top-flight seasons. Since overcoming two knee injuries, he has performed really well and those were rewarded earlier this campaign when the centre-forward was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

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The 28-year-old netted 14 goals and set up 10 more in 30 Premier League outings the last term. He has scored seven goals in 26 league games so far this season in a Bournemouth team that has struggled to hit the heights.

Wilson is operating at the peak of his powers and would undoubtedly bolster Chelsea’s attack, whilst being the ideal player to compete with Abraham next season.

Verdict

Wilson has proven himself in the Premier League with the Cherries and he’s at the perfect age to test himself with a European club. All in all, Chelsea must definitely attempt in getting the England international’s signature.