Either of these people could be Chelsea’s new Striker and here is why
Lukaku, Aubameyang, Bellotti and Morata
It is no longer news that Chelsea’s Striker, Diego Costa will be leaving this summer. Likewise, the departure of Lacazette to Arsenal. In this article, we take an intensive look at viable and realistic options available to the current champions of England, Chelsea.
Romelu Menama Lukaku
The big Belgian forward (13/05/93) is the likeliest and most realistic option on this list. Taking a brief look at his profile, Lukaku represented the blue of Chelsea FC from 2011 to 2014 although, was loaned to Westbrom and Everton during that period. Scoring 32 goals having played 66 games in total for both English teams. Lukaku was then sold to Everton FC in 2014 for a reported club record fee of 28 million pounds.
The Belgian forward has an impressive goal record in the EPL . Of about 186 matches in the premier league, he scored about 85 goals. These stats are very impressive given his age, 24. This we all know, can only get better from here, coming from a player entering his peak as evidenced in his last season’s goal tally of 25 (second only to Harry Kane, Tottenham).
Lukaku will also be a perfect fit at Chelsea as he already has a number of Belgian teammates in the team (Hazard, Courtois, Batshuayi e.t.c). Hence, the familiarity.
It might also interest you to note that Lukaku expressly stated that he has unfinished business at Stamford bridge during the course of this season.
The only major obstacle that Chelsea will have to face is the valuation of this Everton key man. As reported, Everton values their main man at 75–100 million pounds, which is a cut-throat figure but may prove a bargain for the next hot shot in Europe as the transfer market has seen a massive price hike in the valuation of players.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Auba, as he is fondly called (18/06/89) is another hot shot when looking at the options available for a good striker. The German-based Gabonese striker currently represents Borussia Dortmund in the first tier of the German league.
Auba is a pacey and lanky forward any defender in the world will dread. His unpredictability and sudden outburst of pace, change in direction and others set him apart from the strikers available.
Auba has played in at least 5 different teams, of which he has amassed about 175 goals or more in about 371 club matches.
Looking into his International career, Auba is currently the captain of the Gabon senior national team. He has around 23 goals in about 55 games for his international side.
Auba was also crowned the top scorer of the German Bundesliga (2016/2017) beating Lewandoski to the award.
Auba is not just a one season wonder as he has been up there for about 3 or 4 seasons now after his breakthrough campaign at Saint-Ettiene in 2012.
Auba has been linked to Liverpool in recent reports, but it seems as though those reports have gone cold, as the valuation of the Gabonese is way more than what Liverpool is willing to pay.
Recent reports coming out of Germany claim that the president of Dortmund has stated that 63 million pounds will be enough to persuade the club to let go of their main man.
In my opinion, I think the valuation of Auba is more realistic at 63 million pounds. This should not be too much for Chelsea to afford, given the amount of money they’ve made from sales of players in the transfer market.
Andrea Bellotti
Bellotti (20/12/93) is another young and athletic striker. Bellotti height of 1.81 metres is a dominant presence in the 18-yard box.
His ability to hit the ball hard with both foots is astonishing.
The Italian currently plying his trade at Torino is also very fast and his work rate is exquisite.
Bellotti has about 70 goals in approximately 180 games for his club, which is quite impressive for a striker of his age, 23.
For Italy, of 9 appearances, he has managed to score 4 goals which is about 0.45 goal conversion rate.
Bellotti also valued very high by Torino FC is no doubt a talent to watch out for, but the question now is the experience factor.
Chelsea will be competing on four fronts next season, including the Champions league and Bellotti is a player who has no European appearance to his name. Chelsea is not looking at a player for the future, instead they are desperately in search of a quality striker that will lead their line next season and the seasons to come. As there is a huge vacuum to be filled in that position.
This leads us to the next person on the list, which is Alvaro Morata.
Alvaro Borja Morata
Morata (23/10/92) is a another deadly Spanish striker to come through the ranks. Morata currently plying his trade at real Madrid is a fast, energetic, skillful striker that can play as a striker, a supporting striker, and even a winger.
Morata has about 103 goals having played 271 matches.
Surprising stats for a 24-year old, right?
Morata has represented Spain in his youth career at virtually all levels and has also been on loan to Juventus FC in Italy where he also solidified his name as a striker to watch out for in the coming years.
Morata has been widely compared to Lukaku in recent years as they are about the same age and also share good stats.
Real Madrid is going to be playing hard ball with this one as they think of him so highly that they are not even interested in entertaining offers for the young Spaniard.
Manchester United has also shown interest in the striker but Madrid is also holding out for a cut-throat figure to come through for them.
Looking at the experience of the Spaniard, Morata has tasted Champions League success with Real Madrid and has also had some experience with Juventus.
Reports claim Morata has grown increasingly frustrated with his lack of playing time at Los Blancos due to the presence of Benzema and wants out of the team to pursue first team action, so as to aid his chances of leading the line for Spain in the coming World cup.
Questions are therefore being raised as to the availability of the Spanish striker.
Real Madrid has a tough decision to make here; whether to cash-in on Morata, offload Benzema or keep both players and try to impress them by providing adequate match time for both players.
In summary, I believe Chelsea’s Coach, Conte, made a wrong decision in informing Diego Costa (via a text message) that his services will no longer be needed at the bridge, as it leaves Chelsea on the weaker bargaining side.
Weaker bargaining side for a striker in the sense that no team will want to release their striker to Chelsea FC at a minimal price, since they believe they are in no position to negotiate as they are desperately in need of a quality striker.
On the flip side, any club coming to pick Diego Costa will not offer up to his actual market valuation as Chelsea already made it clear they no longer require his services. For example, recent reports have it that Atletico Madrid have tabled a 22 million bid for Diego Costa. This would not have been the case as Diego Costa was bought for way more than that and now costs way more than the amount tabled. As a result, Chelsea would have to go all out to get a quality striker even if they will have to break the club record fee paid to sign a prolific striker (which is obviously scarce in the transfer market today).
However, in my opinion, I believe Aubameyang will be a better option. If you compare Chelsea’s need for an experienced/quality Striker to reel in goals for the team. Hence, my decision to go for Auba hinges on the following:
- He has more experience than the rest of the players listed above
- He is not a one-season-wonder
- He is not ‘too expensive’ compared to the other players given his stats
If you think there is something I am missing, kindly point them out in the comment.
My name is Dada Gideon, an Accounting student at Covenant University. I attended the International Sports Academy (Segun Odegbami’s College), where I played professional football while studying Commerce.
I am a Chelsea FC fan and this is my first football piece. Looking forward to reading your comments and constructive criticisms.
Please, don’t forget to recommend and share if you enjoyed the piece, thanks!
