According to reports in The Telegraph, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is ready to replace striker Michy Batshuayi in January following a disappointing performance in the 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

What's the word, then?

Well, Batshuayi started up front in the absence of the injured Alvaro Morata at Selhurst Park at the weekend as he went in search of his first Premier League goal of the season – although he did put through his own net in the win against Tottenham in August – but he failed to find the net or make a positive impression and he was replaced by Pedro in the 57th minute.

The Telegraph says that while the Belgium international looked angry at the decision to take him off, he was more annoyed with himself than his boss.

The Telegraph says that the Italian ripped into his players following the defeat against Roy Hodgson's side, and he will look to sign a new striker in the New Year to provide better back-up for Morata.

How has Batshuayi done this season?

While he has five goals in nine appearances in all competitions this term – although three of those came in the EFL Cup against Nottingham Forest – the 24-year-old is struggling to make an impression in the English top flight and his movement and anticipation in and around the penalty area was particularly poor at Selhurst Park on Saturday considering he is a striker.

The Belgium's time on the pitch in the Premier League last season was limited as Conte obviously didn't fancy him to make an impact on a consistent basis, and The Telegraph says that he would have been loaned out during the summer transfer window if Chelsea had have signed Fernando Llorente from Swansea City.

While his goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season was hugely important, it may not be enough to save his Blues career even though he may feel that he hasn't been given another opportunities in the starting XI.

Who could Chelsea sign to replace him?

The Telegraph states that Conte is a big fan of Christian Benteke, who is currently injured and yet to score for Crystal Palace this season, while Jamie Vardy has been a target in the past and the club are reportedly also set to watch Red Star Belgrade centre-forward Richmond Boakye against Arsenal on Thursday.

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