Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has cast doubt on whether Enzo Maresca's side need another striker in the January transfer window, as they chase a return to the Champions League and mount a possible Premier League title challenge.
The Blues have long been linked with a move for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen - now on loan at Galatasaray - or an alternative option such as Lille's Jonathan David, but Nevin told Sports Mole that a new signing may not be required to push them over the line.
Furthermore, Chelsea's transfer model does not suggest such an outlay could be forthcoming, particularly as Maresca has moulded a winning team from the substantial first-team squad he inherited.
"The way they trade, and I use the word 'trade' advisedly, as opposed to transfer - because it's very American the way they do it - their trading system is very different from ours," Nevin explained.
"We tend to look at it from a very British perspective, but they don't look at it that way. The trades in certain American sports are totally different. We think about it in a slightly one-dimensional way, and I don't think they do. So signing a centre-forward? I don't know."
Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer can cope with burden; doubts about Osimhen
In addition to doubting that a move would be sanctioned mid-season, Nevin also has qualms about destabilising growing partnerships in the Blues' young attack, which averages over two goals per game this term.
"You don't have to have a centre-forward that's scoring 25, 30 goals a season. What you need is a centre-forward that scores a decent amount, but also is a good mover, runs into space, develops space for everybody behind them; if he happens to score 20 goals a season, then great," Nevin told Sports Mole.
"But I'm not sure. I think people do get wrapped up in that. Cole Palmer scored plenty last season. He scored enough for a main striker, and you just need to get others chipping in from that forward area."
Therefore, any return to their mooted summer switch for Osimhen should be called into question, according to Nevin: "They may want to go for Osimhen, but I personally think they should have gone for him about four years ago. That was the time.
"I was shouting and bawling about it. I was working for Chelsea at the time. He looked like the right person then, but I'm not sure it's absolutely spot on just now."
A promising start to the campaign has seen Nicolas Jackson fully establish himself as first choice under Maresca, with France international Christopher Nkunku serving as his deputy.
"I think Jackson's actually getting better. If you look at his numbers, which I think Chelsea spend a lot of time doing, (they are) actually quite good this season," said Nevin.
"And if these numbers carry on the way they are, he'll be well plus 20 by the end of the season in league and cup goals."
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Nevin suggests Joao Felix can be Chelsea's wildcard
Nevin also told Sports Mole: "I would add Joao Felix into this, because I think he's fabulous. He is right up there with the most underrated players."
Since returning to the club this summer, Chelsea's Portuguese star has struggled to break into the team, due to Palmer's prowess and the vast improvement of Noni Madueke.
Despite scoring on his second club debut, in the Blues' 6-2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, it has proven beyond the 24-year-old forward to make an impact in the Premier League.
But Nevin believes that can change as the season wears on, backing the elusive attacker to succeed: "You'll find out, trust me, he's a spectacularly special player."
His next chance to impress could come when Chelsea return to top-flight action on Sunday afternoon, with Maresca's men visiting league leaders Liverpool at Anfield.
Pat Nevin was talking to Sports Mole on behalf of sports betting site BetVictor.
Jonathan O'Shea
