Evaluating Chelsea’s striker targets
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Chelsea have been linked with numerous strikers from all over the world during the January transfer window.
If rumours are to be believed, Guus Hiddink is keen on adding some depth to his strike force, with Radamel Falcao sidelined until March and Loic Remy’s future in doubt.
Since his arrival, Chelsea have been over-reliant on Diego Costa, who is slowly getting back to his best under Hiddink.
I am going to take a closer look at some of the players we’ve linked with, what they offer and whether or not they would represent a good deal.
Carlos Bacca - AC Milan
These links have come out of nowhere, and are quite surprising given that the Colombian only made the switch from Sevilla to AC Milan in the summer.
Bacca has scored eight goals in Italy this season, but the fallen Italian giants sit 8th in Serie A, ten points behind their rivals Inter who occupy second place.
Bacca won back to back Europa League titles with Sevilla and could definitely play at a higher level than he currently is.
Should he make the move, he will feel he has a point to prove at the highest level. Milan’s asking price is rumoured to be around £30m so he would arrive at the club under pressure.
When compared against other possible targets, Bacca is a higher calibre of player, the type that Chelsea should be looking to. If the Blues decide to the splash the cash on Bacca, he would be a good signing, but a big risk at the same time.
Alexandre Pato - Corinthians
The striker that has been linked with a move to here, there and everywhere, of course, has been linked with a move to Chelsea, you guessed it.
He has been offered out to clubs at around £11m with his current deal at Corinthians up in the summer.
The Brazilian, also like Carlos Bacca, has a point to prove at the highest level. At AC Milan, he was dubbed as the next best thing, but injuries and debatable attitude problems hindered his development. In Italy, he scored 63 times in 150 appearances.
Since leaving Italy, he has spent time in Brazil, for both Corinthians and Sao Paulo.
His price tag will not break the bank, making him less of a risk than some of the other options available to Chelsea.
If, and it’s a big if, his attitude is right, he could be a good signing for Chelsea.
Saido Berahino - West Brom
The West Brom striker wants out of the Hawthorns, believing he is ready for bigger and better things. After Tottenham reportedly cooled their interested, Chelsea are now in for the striker, who won’t come cheap.
He is valued at around £25m, a price that Chelsea’s London rivals were not keen on matching after their lengthy summer pursuit of the striker ended in failure.
Berahino will be hungry to succeed and prove his ability at a top club. He will also increase the amount of home grown players Chelsea have in their squad.
However, is this the right deal at the right price for the Blues? Berahino won’t start instead of Diego Costa. Will he be happy with a role from the bench?
If Chelsea sign Berahino, he’ll get the odd few minutes here and there and a start in the cups for a couple of seasons, then he’ll get fed up and want out of the club for regular football, exactly what we’re seeing with Loic Remy.
Jamie Vardy - Leicester City
Leicester’s recording breaking striker would undoubtedly see him name linked with some of the biggest sides in Europe after his goal scoring streak in the Premier League.
After his exploits this season, Chelsea have been linked with the 29-year-old who is rated at £30m.
Despite his run of good form, Vardy is one to avoid for Chelsea. His game is solely revolved around pace and closely down lost causes. Whilst everyone at the club loves a player with a good work rate, he would not suit our style of play.
Not only that, it would be a huge risk for Chelsea to sign Vardy for the aforementioned price tag, Vardy’s goal scoring record in previous seasons has not been great. He will need to prove he can repeat his same success next season to warrant a big money move.
Emmanuel Adebayor - Free agent
The former Tottenham and Arsenal man is a free agent after he had his contract terminated by Spurs. He has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Watford since leaving the London club.
Adebayor’s quality has always been unquestionable, however, what you can doubt, is how many games you’re going to see that quality per season. There has always been talking points over the striker’s attitude.
He is not the sort of player that Chelsea in their current situation, need. Similarly to Chelsea’s current trio of attackers, Adebayor has suffered from injuries of late, making the Togo international, a very risky signing.