Journalist: Reds Set to “Miss Out” on “Multi-DImensional Pressing Machine” Forward | OneFootball

Chelsea Leading Race for Ekitike as Liverpool Weigh Up Striker Options

Stamford Bridge move could trump Liverpool’s summer rebuild as Slot assesses his frontline

Liverpool risk losing out on Hugo Ekitike this summer, with Chelsea reportedly stepping up efforts to secure the French forward’s signature. The Reds are said to be in the market for a striker, but the West London club appear to have stolen a march on their rivals.

According to reports from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are “pushing to finalise the deal” for Ekitike, currently on the books at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Bundesliga side are understood to be open to a sale, which has put several clubs across Europe on alert — including Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

https://x.com/Plettigoal/status/1930698392000176139

While nothing is yet finalised, Chelsea are believed to hold the upper hand at this stage of negotiations.

Liverpool’s Frontline Under Review

Liverpool’s need for attacking reinforcements has been well-documented throughout the 2024/25 campaign. Mohamed Salah, as ever, has carried the weight of expectation, with Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz providing strong contributions in supporting roles.

However, questions continue to linger over Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota. The former has struggled to adapt to Slot’s technical demands — his erratic finishing and off-ball movement a recurring concern. With each passing game, Núñez’s long-term future at Anfield appears increasingly uncertain.

Jota, meanwhile, remains a more complex case. Injury setbacks have hampered his rhythm, but there’s still a belief within the club that a solid pre-season could reignite the Portuguese forward’s spark. Even so, Liverpool may need to offload one of the pair to make room for a new arrival — and Ekitike fits the bill.

The Ekitike Equation

At just 22, Hugo Ekitike remains one of Europe’s most intriguing young forwards. A blend of pace, technical sharpness, and positional intelligence, the Frenchman had a modest campaign in Germany but retains high ceiling potential.

Slot, known for nurturing technically proficient forwards, could find plenty to admire in Ekitike’s profile — but Liverpool may have to move swiftly to avoid being outmanoeuvred by Chelsea.

The Blues are reportedly open to moving on from Christopher Nkunku, whose injury-riddled stint in England has not gone to plan. Mauricio Pochettino’s successor at Stamford Bridge is keen to reset the squad’s attacking structure — and Ekitike may be central to that vision.

What Next?

For now, Liverpool fans face an anxious wait. Slot’s plans for the summer window are beginning to take shape, but the striker situation remains a crucial domino. Ekitike would represent a forward-looking investment — a player who could evolve into a key asset rather than a stopgap.

With Chelsea accelerating talks, the Reds must decide whether to firm up their interest or risk watching a potential gem slip away.

Hugo Ekitike’s radar chart from the past 365 days, based on 3,247 minutes of action, paints the picture of a modern, multi-dimensional forward. What immediately leaps out is his elite attacking output — the 22-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile for combined non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and expected assisted goals (xAG), underlining just how influential he is in front of goal and as a creative force.

Looking deeper into his attacking stats, Ekitike’s xAG sits in the 94th percentile, while his assist rate is also extremely strong (89th percentile). In terms of scoring threat, he boasts a non-penalty xG in the 93rd percentile and non-penalty goals in the 85th — evidence of his consistency and positioning in the final third. Such figures show why clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool are circling — forwards with this kind of statistical output are rare.

Possession metrics further highlight Ekitike’s dynamism and ball-carrying ability. He excels in progressive carries (92nd percentile) and successful take-ons (97th), pointing to his ability to beat defenders and drive play forward — a trait Arne Slot greatly values in his forwards. His ability to receive progressive passes (90th) and maintain touches in threatening areas (85th) suggests he thrives in systems that reward movement and technical sharpness in tight spaces.

Where Ekitike doesn’t necessarily shine is in pure distribution. His pass completion (57th percentile) and passes attempted (75th) are serviceable but not standout. This may be down to the nature of his role — often playing on the shoulder of defenders or in transition-heavy systems — but it’s a potential area of growth if he’s to operate in a more possession-oriented side like Liverpool under Slot.

Interestingly, Ekitike also contributes defensively. His defensive metrics — particularly tackles plus interceptions (75th percentile), percentage of dribblers tackled (77th), and aerial duels won (73rd) — show a player willing to press, track back, and compete physically. That work rate and defensive intelligence may make him more attractive to a Premier League side demanding high-intensity off-the-ball work.

In sum, this data profile confirms that Ekitike is more than just a goal poacher. He’s a creator, a carrier, and a pressing machine. For Liverpool, who may part ways with Darwin Núñez or Diogo Jota, the Frenchman would represent not only a stylistic fit for Slot’s system but also a player with serious developmental upside.