Chelsea can rival Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool for the Premier League title this season if they sign long-term target Victor Osimhen in January.

That is the opinion of former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, who claims the addition of Osimhen would take an already impressive Enzo Maresca team to a whole new level.

The Blues were widely tipped to struggle in Maresca’s first season at Stamford Bridge following another hectic summer, but Chelsea have in fact taken 14 points from their first seven games to climb to fourth in the Premier League.

Only defending champions Man City have scored more goals than dynamic and exciting Chelsea but Malouda nevertheless believes his former club would benefit from the acquisition of top striker Osimhen.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for the Nigerian in recent years and sent a delegation to Naples last summer in a bid to bring him to west London.

The Stamford Bridge party returned home disappointed, however, and Osimhen subsequently joined Turkish Galatasaray on loan.

Osimhen scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli and Malouda has urged Chelsea to attempt to secure his signature, claiming his arrival would instantly turn the Blues into title contenders.

‘We almost signed Victor Osimhen in the summer, and he is the type of player that would add extra quality to this Chelsea team,’ Malouda told Coin Poker.

‘If there is an opportunity to bring him in in January, then I think the club has to look at it. From what I’ve read, he will cost less than the numbers that were quoted in the summer – the fee is reportedly in the region of £70m.

‘Galatasaray would hate to lose him, but he’s a Napoli player and the noises coming out of Naples recently indicate that her will be available in January.

‘Chelsea should be competing for the world’s best players. Osimhen is in that category.

‘You want to see the club add more quality to its team because that is what every ambitious club does, and his addition would bring Chelsea a step closer to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.

‘It seems like the player wants to come to Chelsea. We’ll see if we can get him, but I would love the club to move for him because a lot of things can happen between now and January.

‘There could be competition to bring him in – I would love to see the club working on a deal for him. Osimhen would be a great addition to the squad.’

Malouda, who made 229 appearances for Chelsea and won both the Premier League and Champions League at Stamford Bridge, added: ‘Victor Osimhen would be very welcome.

‘I think Didier Drogba had a lot of nice things to say about him. He would have to write his own history, but of course there would be a lot of expectation and excitement [if he joined].

‘I think the addition of Osimhen would send out a big message to the other top teams in the Premier League. If Chelsea signed him, then I think we could say for certain that his quality would put Chelsea right into the title race.

‘If Chelsea can stay within touching distance of the top of the table, then adding Osimhen to the squad in January would give the fans and the club a really exciting second half to the season.’

Chelsea will look to continue their impressive run of form on Sunday when they travel to Anfield to take on early Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Paul Pogba went on a media tour to plead his case to stay and contribute at Juventus amid the rumors of an impending partying of the ways ahead of the end of his suspension in March. He spoke with Sky Sports, ESPN, and La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’ll be a new Pogba: hungrier, wiser, and stronger. I’ve trained on my own for a year, and I’m ready to return to go back to normalcy in 2025. My only wish is to play. The love from the fans has always been there. I couldn’t have contacts with the team for legal reasons, but many past and present teammates showed their support. Juan Cuadrado called me every two days to make me laugh. Paulo Dybala texted me a lot. And then Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Moise Kean… I didn’t expect it.”

Pogba isn’t in a rush to find another team.

“I haven’t had the chance to speak with Thiago Motta yet, but that moment will come soon. I think I’m ready to train and star for them. That’s the only thing on my mind today. The pitch will do the talking, and the coach will judge me based on what he’ll see. I aim to play at Juventus and France and be the best. I’m willing to give up some money to do that. I want to come back.”

Manchester United’s football board, which includes Sir Alex Ferguson, have been asked to refrain from entering the players’ dressing room, according to reports.

On Tuesday, it emerged that United have terminated Ferguson’s £2.6 million-a-year ambassadorial role as part of their cost-cutting measures.

Former United striker Eric Cantona, one of Ferguson’s best-ever signings during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, branded the club’s decision as ‘a lack of respect’ and ‘totally scandalous’.

MailOnline reports that in addition to Ferguson’s role being axed, the 82-year-old is among the senior figures who have been instructed to stay away from the players’ changing room on matchdays.

The report claims that Ferguson has not been banned but there is a ‘collective understanding’ over who visits the players’ inner sanctum.

Leading figures at United have always been welcomed inside the changing room, even after Ferguson’s retirement, including directors and former players.

Former United captain Michael Carrick revealed that Sir Bobby Charlton, who died last year, was a frequent visitor to the players’ dressing room and that his input was welcomed.

‘He comes into the changing room after every single game, his support in unwavering’ Carrick said in 2019.

‘Ever since I came to the club that’s something that stands out- the support you’ve got from real legends and icons. Not just from this club, but throughout football.

‘Sir Bobby has been a huge support for me personally, but for every single player. Whether it is a good result or bad result he comes and shakes your hand and tells you not to worry it’ll be better next week, or well done and more of the same next week, depending on the result.’

During Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, Ferguson was invited into the dressing room on multiple occasions, including after United knocked Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League at the Parc des Princes in 2019.

It’s great to see the boss in there,’ Solskjaer said after his side’s win in the French capital.

‘It’s understood that Ferguson’s reaction to his contract being terminated by United was ‘amicable’.

United have also made it clear that the Scot is still welcome to attend games at Old Trafford.

Earlier on Tuesday, former United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on X: ‘If Sir Alex can be taken out, then NO ONE IS SAFE at Manchester United – anyone can get it now. Ineos sending a message to ANYONE at the club?!?

Metro