What has happened to Chelsea? It’s no secret now that the Blues are a mere shadow of the side that waltzed to the Premier League title last term, with seven losses from 12 games having left Jose Mourinho’s side closer to the foot of the table than the summit, while also sparking rumours of his potential sacking.
Although the struggles of veterans such as John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have been widely discussed, not as much has been made of issues at the other end of the pitch, where Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and Diego Costa have netted a combined THREE Premier League goals – exactly a quarter of Jamie Vardy’s output alone!
It seems than the addressing these concerns should be a priority for January, and the sheer level of links with strikers - and suggestions Costa and/or Falcao may be axed – hints that the Blues may be cracking open Roman Abramovich’s chequebook to sign the sort of players other relegation candidates (sorry, Chelsea fans) can barely dream of landing.
With that in mind, here are FIVE potential season saviours for the Londoners…
Alexandre Lacazette
From being the ‘one to get’ over the summer, Lacazette’s stock has dipped a little of late. The Frenchman’s Lyon side haven’t been quite the force they were last term (when he scored a whopping 27 Ligue 1 goals), but the 24-year-old’s form has picked up of late with an impressive hat-trick against bitter rivals Saint-Etienne.
This season Lacazette has been without his injured partner in crime Nabil Fekir for the bulk of his minutes, so it’s worth looking back at his numbers from 2014/15 to really assess the hit-man. 2.9-shots-per-game shows his willingness to fire at goal and his tendency to get into the correct positions, while 1.6-key-passes-per-match is also impressive given that Lacazette would be relied up to lead the line alone in a Mourinho side and bring other players into the action.
Paco Alcacer
Perhaps a tricky target given that the youngster is extremely highly rated at Valencia, Chelsea may well pursue him and could use the money not spent over the summer and may gain favour with Los Che by allowing Radamel Falcao to leave Stamford Bridge – the Spaniards are reportedly interested in the Colombian.
Although not impressive in a statistically sense as Lacazette, the 22-year-old has still been able to net five goals in La Liga action this term in 10 appearances (five as a substitute), while a 1.8-shots-per-match in, arguably, the best division in European football is a more than respectable return for a player of the Spaniard’s age.
Stats via WhoScored.
Sebastian Giovinco
A bit of a curveball here, but a short-term loan deal for Giovinco in January makes sense. Although fewer players are leaving Major League Soccer on such arrangements as the profile and quality of the division increases, the European Championships may sway the ‘Atomic Ant’, who recently found himself out of the Italian squad despite smashing 22 goals in North America’s top tier in 2015.
With the MLS season not due to start again until spring time, Giovinco could realistically stay in London until mid to late February, which could be a boost for the Blues, who are currently low in terms of options.
The 28-year-old rarely lit up Serie A prior to his move to Toronto FC, but a few notable seasons, particularly during 2011/12 at Parma, shows that he has what it takes to perform at the highest level. It’s quite noticeable too that Giovinco performs well when given game time, suggesting he’s a confidence player, which bodes well as his MLS form has been the best of his career to date.
Stats via WhoScored.
Jamie Vardy
https://vine.co/v/ePKVbOixvLP/embed/simpleWhy not? 12 goals this term make Vardy by far and away the Premier League’s top scorer, and thus most dangerous striker. Such a move represents a gamble, but the Blues’ current side lack pace and a direct threat, which the 28-year-old certainly offers.
It’s impressive to see that Vardy’s goals make up almost 50% of Leicester’s output, and getting a player clearly on an upward trajectory could be just what’s needed to inject some confidence into a team devoid of belief. Stats via WhoScored.
Gonzalo Higuain
https://vine.co/v/OVpDuQnvp5d/embed/simple
Having taken his career goal tally to 200 prior to the recent international break, Higuain is certainly a goalscorer of the highest ilk. There may be other criticisms levelled at his game, but the Argentine is a natural finisher with deadly instincts in the box, which could come to the fore at Stamford Bridge with, despite their woes, Chelsea boasting the fourth best level of possession in the Premier League – suggesting that greater movement and threat could result in more chances and goals.
Higuain’s lack of composure - evident from his penalty-taking record – is perhaps an issue to consider, but Mourinho has worked with him before at Real Madrid, which bodes well.
Stats via WhoScored.