‘Are they that desperate?’ – Chelsea transfer strategy questioned by Sky Sports pundit

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It’s fair to say that some of Chelsea’s reported transfer targets this month have raised eyebrows, and Gary Neville isn’t sure what the urgency is about.

Antonio Conte’s side have struggled for goals in recent weeks, scoring just once in four outings in all competitions prior to getting back their form in front of goal in the 4-0 win over Brighton at the weekend.

As per The Sun, the Blues have been linked with swoops for Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch in the past week, both of whom have struggled for regular playing time and goals in recent times with the latter in particular coming to the end of his career.

Further, The Times report on how Leicester City’s Islam Slimani has also emerged as a possible option, while Edin Dzeko is reportedly edging closer to a move to Stamford Bridge, according to The Sun.

All those individuals have the same characteristics in common, in that they can add physicality, an aerial threat and an ability to link things up as a lone striker. So on one hand, Conte clearly knows what he wants to add to his squad.

However, it could be argued that Dzeko would be the only sensible addition at this stage given he’s coming off the back of being crowned the top goalscorer in Serie A last season, while he already has plenty of experience in the Premier League from his previous stint with Manchester City.

The other trio mentioned would all arguably be a bit underwhelming and would arrive on a short-term loan deal, and Neville is rightly unconvinced that it’s necessary that the reigning Premier League champions look for such a short-term fix.

“It seems a little bit random that Chelsea seem hell-bent on getting anybody that’s over 6’3” that’s potentially a target man,” he said on his podcast, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“Are they that desperate to have somebody for these last three months? I don’t see that personally. I think Chelsea are having a good season.”

Whether this can be considered a good season given their lofty expectations can be left up for debate, but while there is a lack of options beyond summer signing Alvaro Morata, Conte would surely be well advised to take his time and bring in a long-term option to satisfy his need for a target man.

Or he could always turn to Eden Hazard who has performed well in the ‘false nine’ role previously as an alternative.

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