He bullies defenders like Costa: Chelsea surge into race to sign £90m striker

This has not been an auspicious season for Chelsea, but one of this football club’s greatest strengths is the ability to endure and withstand tough times.

The appointment of Xabi Alonso, set to be finalised at the end of the month, certainly looks like a step in the right direction, even if the Blues fail to qualify for Europe in any capacity this term.

Described as a “tactical genius” by analyst James Allcott, Alonso will bring fresh ideas and has been handed far more power than his predecessors at Stamford Bridge.

However, one mission that remains the same is the determination to sign a new striker, with Chelsea’s current crop flattering to deceive.

Chelsea getting serious about Premier League striker

Chelsea have fallen by the wayside this season, and no mistake. And BlueCo churn through managers like there’s no tomorrow, with the weight of managing the west London outfit like a millstone around so many coaches’ necks.

But Alonso has elite potential, and he could be a transformational appointment. He’ll need help, though, and that has to start from the front, with too many forwards failing to inspire success this season.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea’s interest in Brentford centre-forward Igor Thiago is starting to get stronger, with clarity now stemming from the Blues dugout and the Brazilian is considered one of the best options on the market.

Brentford paid a club-record £30m fee for Thiago’s signature in July 2024, and it’s understood that the Londoners would want to triple that amount if he were to leave this summer.

Aggressive and imposing, Thiago is a developing superstar, and his profile could see the proverbial return of Diego Costa to Stamford Bridge.

Why Thiago could be Chelsea’s new Diego Costa

Bailey might think that Thiago fits the bill as an “elite-level striker” Chelsea are searching for, but in spite of his prolific returns in front of goal this season, the Brentford frontman might not be the solution to Chelsea’s problems – especially for £90m.

This season, the 24-year-old has scored 22 goals from 37 matches in the Premier League, winning 5.4 duels per game. He’s prolific and he’s physical, and that is exactly what this Chelsea side need.

Maybe it would invoke the spirit of Costa, who was regarded by Jose Mourinho as “one of the best strikers in football” back in 2014, after the Portuguese manager signed him from Atletico Madrid for £32m that year, then steamrolling to the Premier League title.

Costa, now 37 and retired, was once one of the most feared forwards in the Premier League, certainly one of the most aggressive and prolific goalscorers of his time.

And in 2014/15, it’s worth remembering, the Brazilian-born striker only played 26 times as he spearheaded Jose Mourinho’s title charge, still bagging 20 goals. In total, the nomadic star posted 59 goals and 21 assists across 120 games for Chelsea.

Thiago might have something of a likeness to the retired bagsman, but it’s difficult to assert with confidence that he is on the same level right now.

Though Thiago has scored consistently throughout the season, it feels like he’s left something to be desired at times, having last scored against a top-eight Premier League side in November. In fact, he only has two such goals all year, bagging against Liverpool and Brighton.

Is he the man to lead Chelsea forward? Does he have the nuance and proven quality on the biggest stage to succeed. He has converted eight penalties in the Premier League this season, and it’s hard to imagine Cole Palmer stepping aside to give him the badge as Alonso’s designated spot-kick specialist.

Thiago might be a talented striker, but he’s reaching the end of his first season as a regular in England’s top flight, and there’s a sense that Alonso could do better than make the Brentford star the defining mark of his first transfer window – with £90m an awful lot of money.

Costa-esque or not, BlueCo need to tread carefully here, with so many misfires over the past several years stifling their progress.