Chelsea’s decision to back away from signing Samu Omorodion this past summer could prove to be a significant misstep, according to former Atletico Madrid scout Javier Vidales. The highly-rated young striker, now lighting up the Portuguese league with FC Porto, was once on the brink of a move to Stamford Bridge. However, the transfer ultimately fell through due to concerns raised during his medical and disagreements over image rights.
The Blues had reportedly agreed on a €40 million (£34.5m) deal with Atletico Madrid for Omorodion, but issues surrounding an ankle problem flagged during the medical examination and image rights negotiations led to the collapse of the deal in early August. Instead, Porto swooped in to secure the 20-year-old’s signature for an initial €15 million (£12.7m) fee, acquiring 50% of his rights with an option to purchase a further 30% by 2026 for €10 million (£8.3m).
Since moving to Portugal, Omorodion has wasted no time in proving his worth. The Spanish striker has hit the ground running, scoring seven goals in his first seven appearances for Porto, including a standout performance in the Europa League against Manchester United, where he netted twice. The youngster’s scoring spree continued on the international stage, as he bagged four goals for Spain’s Under-21s in a resounding 6-0 victory over Malta earlier this week.
Javier Vidales, while not directly involved in Omorodion’s recruitment to Atletico, has been a vocal supporter of the striker’s talent, predicting a bright future for the player on the international stage. “He will be the next No.9 of the national team and for many years. For the next decade… at least. I’m almost certain he’ll go to the World Cup,” Vidales told Record.
Vidales didn’t stop there in his praise for the young forward, highlighting the unique qualities that make Omorodion stand out from traditional strikers. “When talking about Samu, people tend to focus on physical condition. But it goes much further than that,” Vidales explained. “He is not just a robust striker, who plays with his back to goal and keeps possession of the ball, distributing it to his teammates. He is very intelligent. Playing with just him is like playing with two attackers but having only just one.”
The former scout elaborated on how Omorodion’s style of play can trouble defenders, describing him as a ‘2-in-1’ forward. “Samu plays the role of two strikers. A reference, which keeps the defenders busy, and other who searches for spaces. This means that if you close your spaces, it receives as a No.9 reference. If they block him, he is capable of finding spaces.”
Vidales believes that Omorodion’s background and drive to succeed add to his potential for growth. “He has a lot ahead of him and, on top of that, he is hungry. He comes from a humble family and has a great desire to learn,” Vidales noted.
As Porto continues to offer Omorodion a platform to showcase his talents in the Portuguese league and the Champions League, Vidales is convinced that the move to the Primeira Liga giants is the perfect stepping stone for the young striker. “Given the way he plays, the football he plays in the Portuguese league and his constant presence in the Champions League, Porto are the perfect club for him,” he concluded.
Chelsea’s missed opportunity to sign Omorodion may come back to haunt them, especially if the Spaniard continues to rise as a future star for both club and country. The Blues, who were in search of a dynamic and versatile forward, might rue the day they let the ‘2-in-1’ striker slip through their fingers. As things stand, Porto and Spanish football appear to be the biggest beneficiaries of Chelsea’s hesitation.
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