Despite the good form Chelsea have been in this year under returning manager Jose Mourinho, the final piece of the jigsaw is missing: a world class striker.
This is something Mourinho himself has conceded and said:
“The problem is with Chelsea is I lack a striker.”
Many are tipping Chelsea to rectify the situation in the summer, but who could be on their way to Stamford Bridge?
Mourinho chases summer striker
At the moment, the current side have three strikers all vying for the one striker role in Mourinho’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba all are in competition for that role with Mourinho favouring Eto’o as his main striker this season. However, a constant criticism of Chelsea is all three of these strikers are not weighing in with enough goals for a side that is attempting to win the Premier League. Eto’o is on seven goals so far this season, Torres four and Demba Ba managing three, hardly enough goals for a side like Chelsea.
Although a high profile signing is likely, could Chelsea’s solution lie in on loan striker Romelu Lukaku? Having proven himself in previous seasons as a striker who can score a multitude of goals the answer may well lie in the young Belgian. Strong and powerful and in the mould of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, the comparisons are inevitable, but there is a cloud of uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. A self-confessed Chelsea fan, Lukaku opted not to stay at Stamford Bridge this season and with major European clubs looking at him, he may choose to leave.
Here today, gone tomorrow? Eto’o may decide to leave Chelsea come summer.
So who are the names linked with a move to London? Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa is a name that is consistently linked with a move. A clinical striker who is currently on 22 goals this term, is in the form of his career, so much so earning his first cap for adopted country Spain. Costa is making headlines across Europe’s papers for his goal scoring exploits but striking a deal for him could prove difficult. Atletico Madrid are likely to ask for Thibaut Courtios in exchange, with manager Diego Simone saying: “Any price for Courtios would be cheap.”
Monaco’s injured striker Radamel Falcao has been a player courted by Chelsea for years. A poacher by trade, Falcao has been hailed as Europe’s best striker. Having made a surprise move to bankrolled Monaco which has seen him suffer a slow debut season in France, Mourinho has already spoke of his interest in the Columbian. Mourinho said: “I need a striker, Falcao needs a club. A player like him cannot play in front of 3000 fans.” A player of Falcao’s calibre will come with a heavy price tag and a deal is unlikely having assured fans he isn’t moving.
Costa has been heavily linked with Chelsea, a move couldbe on the cards.
A major surprise signing could come in the form of infamous Italian Mario Balotelli from struggling AC Milan. Having previously worked under Mourinho at Inter Milan, a reunion could well be on the cards as Mario Balotelli has been facing a lot of criticism for lack lustre performances of late. A composed and lethal striker, Balotelli has scored 11 goals in a disappointing season. AC Milan could look to cash in on the controversial forward in the summer to fund a squad rejuvenation. However, Balotelli may not want a move back to England and may opt to stay in Italy or move elsewhere.
Whoever Chelsea do bring in during the summer, expect to see a new front man come in next season. Mourinho recognises something needs to be done and with the transfer kitty Chelsea are likely to exercise, expect them to spend big in typical Abramovich fashion.
