'Chelsea lack a striker' - Akinfenwa tips Toney, Aubameyang to solve Tuchel's problems

Damola Ogungbe 17:30 - 21.08.2022

Former Swansea City forward Adebayo Akinfenwa has suggested the possible solutions to Chelsea's early problems in the 2022/23 Premier League season.

The Blues lost away at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon as Leeds United grabbed a surprising 3-0 victory over Thomas Tuchel's side.

Goals from Brenden Aaronson (33'), Rodrigo (37'), and Jack Harrison (69') gave Leeds United the win as Chelsea's front trio of Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and Mason Mount failed to find the back of the net.

In the aftermath of the match, Akinfenwa highlighted that the lack of a focal point to Chelsea's attack makes the Tuchel-led side predictable especially following the sale of Romelu Lukaku.

While talking on talkSPORT after the game, the 40-year-old former striker stated that the lack of a focal point means that the Chelsea team is not built around anyone during their matches.

Akinfenwa said: "Whenever you do see a Chelsea team, when you saw Lukaku, you know they will base the team around Lukaku. So you know what's going to happen.

"Same with every other team. That's what they're missing, they're missing a focal point. So now, you know how they're going to play.

The former footballer turned pundit made an interesting case for the transfer of Brentford City striker Ivan Toney to join Chelsea in a bid to get the Blues scoring again.

Akinfenwa said: "Many names have been bandied about, including Ivan Toney from Brentford. I mean he's 25, he's the right age. He's fit to the Premier League."

When asked if Toney could play for a Top 4 team, Akinfenwa was confident the Brentford star deserves a shot at it, stating that if he fails, then he would have at least tried.

"Yes, for me yes [he can play for a Top 4 team]. He has to go to the Top 4 team and then if he doesn't do it, he can turn around and say no. He's doing everything he needs to do. He's intelligent, he's strong, he can score goals, he can run in behind, he can link up play," Akinfenwa explained.

Akinfenwa also made a case for Chelsea to sign Barcelona striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, stating that the Blues need to find the missing link which is scoring goals.

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The former Swansea City striker said: "They're going for Aubameyang, who is a goalscorer. Aubameyang's pedigree is his pedigree, he scores goals everywhere he goes. 

"And that's what they need, they need an out and out Number 9. Assuming they get him in, they get him in. For me that's what they need, they need the missing part and that's scoring goals."

Chelsea will hope to get back on the scoresheet when they host Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in their next league match on Saturday, August 27.

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