Ivan Toney is keen to leave Brentford this week (Image: Getty)
Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a last-minute move to Chelsea this week, and the striker would provide more than just a focal point in attack if a deal with Brentford is agreed.
The Blues have splashed the cash so far this summer, with new signings arriving in every department to provide Enzo Maresca with several team selection headaches. However, the club are yet to address one of their biggest concerns.
Chelsea remain without a top-quality No. 9 and risk putting all of their faith in Nicolas Jackson once again. Napoli star Victor Osimhen and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko were linked with filling the void in the final third previously, as well as Toney, who has now re-emerged as an option.
The England international has made it no secret that he is keen to leave Brentford, and Chelsea have now reportedly reignited their interest in the 28-year-old in the hope of striking a cut-price deal for the forward.
Toney is a clinical finisher and has shown on countless occasions that he can link up play and bring out the very best in his team-mates, and his sensational penalty record is another factor that Chelsea are likely to think highly of.
The England international has scored 30 of his 32 career penalties, with his technique going viral over the summer. Bob Jeffrey, a goalkeeper coach who worked with Toney last season, has opened up on the training ground methods of the Blues’ target previously.
Enzo Maresca is keen to bolster his forward ranks (Image: Getty)
He told The Times: “It was fascinating to watch because in practice he takes them from 13 yards, not 12 yards.
“I asked him: 'Ivan, why are you taking them from 13 yards?' He said, 'Well, when it comes to a game, and I take them from 12 yards, the goal looks bigger.'
“He was a pleasure to work with, a pleasure to talk to and get to know.
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Cole Palmer is Chelsea's current penalty taker (Image: Getty)
“But the thing that impressed me most was the detail in everything [Toney] did. He never went through the motions. It was like every single shot was to win the World Cup."
Chelsea are certainly not short of a penalty-taker given that Cole Palmer scored all nine of his spot-kicks last season.
However, Maresca will be pleased to have another confident player to step up in those high-pressure opportunities - something that can only help in any future shootouts Chelsea get into.
