'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the winter transfer window is here, Conte and his team management need to make up their mind whether to keep Michy Batshuayi as their second-choice striker or to sign a new man to fire up ahead.
Batshuayi has failed to win over Conte as he has not been impressive or consistent enough in the chances he has got. Batshuayi has found himself in much below position than Pedro or any other midfielder. It looks like the 23-year-old could be making his way out very soon as rumours say that Lille has approached Chelsea with hefty offers.
The Blues' management needs to admit that they are missing some passion and fire up front. With Costa's departure from the club, Chelsea now misses the well-needed aggression and their summer signing Alvaro Morata has failed to provide that so far.
Chelsea has not made a good start to the new year and Conte needs to rethink his strategies to give some competition to Pep's City who are the runaway leaders in the Premier League. The London club also faces the ruthless and unbeaten Barcelona in the UEFA Champions Round of 16. Should Chelsea give Batshuayi more chances or should they sign a new second choice striker?
Let us see some options Chelsea can acquire to replace Batshuayi:
Andy Carroll
Carroll has been referred to as a classic centre-forward due to his strength, powerful shots and excellent heading ability. He is probably one of the best headers of the ball Premier League has seen and due to his giant figure, he is very prominent in his position. The injury problems for the giant are very well-known and is a matter of concern for any team. He is very much experienced with the physicality of Premier League and offers much strength to the forward line.
Carroll is on the potential target list of Conte as rumors say but it could be a type of gamble if Conte brings him to the club. He can be a lethal weapon on his day and will offer Conte the flexibility of executing Plan B.
This might be a short-term solution before the summer transfer window and Conte may persuade West Ham to hand over Carroll with a six-month loan deal.
2017-18 Season Statistics;
Apps:12
Goals:2
Current Market Value: £9M
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/17/chelsea-talks-west-ham-andy-carroll-transfer
Richmond Boakye
A relatively cheaper option, Boakye is a Ghanaian international who plays as a striker for the Serbian club Red Star Belgrade. He has impressed everyone at Red Star Belgrade in a very short time span and due to his performances, numerous clubs are interested in signing him with Chelsea considering him as a potential signing in the winter transfer window.
Boakye had previously worked with Conte at Juventus and admires him a lot. He has told an Italian outlet that he will be delighted to play for Conte again. At the age of 24, he has hit 34 goals in 42 games for Red Star Belgrade and his future certainly looks promising. It won't be a much worse choice if Conte wants to bring him as he can serve two things - one being the second choice striker Conte needs now and other is he can be developed more so that Chelsea fans can see him as a regular striker later.
2017-18 Season Statistics;
Apps:14
Goals:15
Current Market Value: €6M
Olivier Giroud
Giroud has won the FA Cup thrice with the Gunners and is one of the seven players to score 50 league goals for the club. The Frenchman has an eye for scoring world-class goals. He has been a very well-known figure in the Arsenal team/ Arsene Wenger has not used Olivier so much this season and has been left unused on the bench on many occasions. Capable of playing in various attacking positions, Giroud could jump ships to Chelsea.
He is very hard working and known for his goal scoring rate, accuracy, heading ability and link-up play well. He is vastly experienced in the Premier League and will add a much-required boost to Conte's team.
2017-18 Season Statistics;
Apps:15
Goals:4
Current Market Value: €20M
Manolo Gabbiadini
The Southampton man joined the Saints in the 2017 winter transfer window from Napoli. Gabbiadini is a versatile, creative, hardworking and well-rounded player who has the ability to play as a central striker, a supporting striker or as a winger. He is dynamic, possess good pace and positional sense which gives him a benefit to be an ideal striker over some other strikers. He has the ability to score direct goals, link-up play and is a good set piece taker.
Gabbiadini has not scored many goals for Southampton as he is more often used as a backup for either Shane Long or Charlie Austin. His versatility and abilities are definitely something to be watchful for. He can be the perfect option for the backup striker Conte needs in place of Batshuayi. Unlike Batshuayi, he offers more flexibility to the team and Conte's tactics as well.
2017-18 Season Statistics;
Apps: 20
Goals:3
Current Market Value: £13.5M
Christian Benteke
According to the Mirror, Palace's Benteke and Everton's Barkley were high on Conte's list and we have already seen one sign for Chelsea recently. Benteke has spent most of the time in injuries but his duo with Zaha is something Crystal Palace rely upon for their fight with relegation. He will be eyeing a spot in the Belgium World Cup squad and an opportunity of playing for Chelsea may earn him something special.
Benteke generally plays a central role and is very strong in winning aerial duels because of his physique. He is good in the air and is always a potential threat for opponents during set pieces. He needs to work a bit on his finishing and playing aside top class players like Hazard, Fabregas, Kante can be a good learning experience for him.
As a backup option, he can provide strength to the team with his pace, strong shots and his instinct to get into the penalty box.
2017-18 Season Statistics:
Apps:17
Goals:1
Current Market Value: £19.8M
All the market values are as per https://www.transfermarkt.com/
