Victor Osimhen's wild Chelsea career predicted - including debut goals, Euro heartache and droughts

Chelsea have already been one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer window - and there is speculation suggesting the Blues business isn’t quite over.

Reports in Italy have suggested the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are working on a big money move for long-term target Victor Osimhen, who had previously signalled his intent to leave Napoli before his agent denied such claims. The Nigerian international was a key part of his side’s historic Serie A title win in 2023 and is one of European football’s most prolific strikers on his day.

But how could he fare if he was to secure a move to Stamford Bridge? We fired up Football Manager 2024, used the editor to move the striker to Chelsea in an £80m and allowed the world’s most popular managerial simulation to play out just how he could fare in his first season with the Blues.

Premier League

Osimhen was an immediate debut less than 24 hours after joining the Blues as they faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux but made little impact after replacing Nicolas Jackson in the final ten minutes of what was a narrow 1-0 win for Maresca’s men. Intriguingly, the Chelsea boss made his big money addition wait five games before handing him a Premier League start but Osimhen managed to mark it in fine style with a brace in a 4-1 Stamford Bridge win against Newcastle United. That solidified his place in Maresca’s side for the run-in to the crucial Christmas period - although the Nigeria international only managed to find the net three times in ten games with goals in a draw at Liverpool and away wins at Brentford and Crystal Palace.

Surprisingly, he had to wait until early February to score a home goal and that came in a 3-1 win over the club he made his debut against as Chelsea completed a league double over Wolves to ensure they remained just outside of the top four. But another dry spell saw Osimhen fail to find the net in four consecutive games and that forced Maresca to make a tough decision as he dropped the striker in favour of Jackson - and that brought a rather low-key end to his first season at Stamford Bridge. By the time the season came to a close, Osimhen had scored 11 league goals as his side missed out on a place in the Champions League - but did secure a spot in the Europa League.

Carabao Cup

Somewhat disappointingly, Chelsea exited the competition at the first hurdle as they suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat against Arsenal after the two sides had battled to a 2-2 draw. Osimhen remained on the bench until the final minutes but score his penalty in the shoot-out - although his side were beaten 7-6 as Marc Guiu’s missed spot-kick - much like that chance against Servette last week - condemned the Blues to the exit

Europa Conference League

After coming through a play-off round tie, Chelsea registered Osimhen for the league stage of UEFA’s tertiary club competition. The striker was handed the responsibility of carry the Blues attacking threat throughout the competition and rewarded Maresca with goals in a win against Real Betis, away draws at Omonia Nicosia and Brann and an away defeat at French club RC Lens. The latter came on the last matchday of the league stage and ensured Chelsea’s involvement in the Conference League came to a rather unsatisfactory ending.

FA Cup

Surprisingly, Osimhen was not even in Maresca’s matchday squad as the Blues battled their way past Championship club Coventry City with a 3-2 win in a third round away tie. However, he did find the net in home wins over Barnsley, Nottingham Forest and Brentford as the Chelsea reached the semi-finals. A 4-0 Wembley defeat against a Manchester City side on their way to the domestic treble ended any thoughts of silverware and a missed penalty with his side a goal down compounded the misery for Osimhen. Perhaps that Chelsea striker curse isn’t so easy to shake off after all.