A look at five strikers Chelsea could sign to aid their current problems upfront.
It would be no surprise this summer if returning Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looked at his current strike options and thought immediately that that was an area in desperate need of strengthening.
With the Blues failing to mount a serious title challange this season, settling instead on winning the battle for third place with Arsenal and Tottenham, it is clear that improvements are needed. Legendary striker Didier Drogba left the club last summer, leaving the off-form and under-confident Fernando Torres as the only recognised striker in the team. Demba Ba was signed from Newcastle in January, but has also looked a little disappointing. In total, the two of them scored ten Premier League goals between them for Chelsea in 2012/13 – far from good enough for a side with title ambitions.
Torres has long been linked with an exit from the club after such a disappointing time since his £50million move from Liverpool, and it is now even suggested that Mourinho will sell Ba after just five months at Stamford Bridge. It is clear where Chelsea’s problems lie, so who could be brought in to score the goals to take them up a level next year?
5. Stevan Jovetic
Although Arsenal and Juventus have been leading the chase for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, Jose Mourinho is also said to be a fan of his. The 23-year-old has been one of Serie A’s stand-out performers over the last few years, scoring 12 goals this season. His numbers perhaps suggest he is not the most prolific forward playing on the shoulder of the last defender, but his all-round ability would suit Chelsea’s style of play, and he would surely reach higher numbers with the likes of Juan Mata and Eden Hazard supplying him with the passes.
Mourinho has identified him as a possibility upfront, though it remains unclear whether he would favour a stay in Italy or a move to England. Fiorentina are desperate not to sell him to their Serie A rivals Juventus, but he has given mixed signals as to his intentions. Chelsea’s financial power could outmuscle both the Gunners and Juve, putting them in the driving seat to land the talented Montenegro international.