New striker needed - but who?

[Las7 951]

I've said my expectations from Torres till January is 15 goals in all competitions and at least 6 of these goals need to be goals which win us points. It's a major problem for me that his only winner is his goal against Reading, that's actually my main gripe with him I'd be fine if he is a 20 goals per season striker if he actually scored some crucial goals.

[Tricky 301]

Lukaku can be recalled if the situation is extremely difficult. This decision (the whole Torres and new striker thing) is to be made next summer, not in January. It would be the most sensible and the wisest way of dealing with it. No need to make another panic buy and overpay certain players. I think this team can make it to top 4 even without strikers, that's how good I think we are.

Agreed, chances are anyone half decent is going to be tied for European competition.

[ymalleb 14]

all the dream striker aside, it's actually pretty sad seeing Torres unable to pickup his talent after more than two seasons been with us. I do think that Chelsea has done everything to help him in every single way possible. Giving him the lead role, dropping Drogba (few games last season) & Sturridge and release Anelka. Bring in not one but at least four new creative player to bring the supplies. The fans keep cheering for him, we even naturally applaud him for a missing a sitter because we appreciate every effort by him. I can't be sure whether he had gave everything in his game or he's just totally lost his old self. if anyone claim Chelsea to blame for his flop, it's bollocks. We might seeing him leave in January, until then i'd never stop waiting for old Torres to come home.

[Styles 9,790]

I personally think Cavani would be perfect for us.

[Thor 2,689]

For one, I don't think we play a striker friendly game. The way we set up in attack doesn't really rely on the striker getting many touches, etc. So I think people expect too much on here when it comes to that position for us. I just don't think any forward is going to come here and get immensely better as far as statistics go.

Its like Arsenal getting a world class defender and expecting him to make them a good defensive team. Just doesn't work like that since its not the way they set up.

I could be wrong though. But I just don't think its a coincidence that every new striker we've brought in has had problems adjusting. Even Drogba at times had seasons where his scoring fluctuated like crazy.

[Krypt 241]

I think we would have to sell Torres first before we could bring in a new top striker. With playing 1 up front its hard to keep a sqaud of happy strikers. The only other option is bring in a young striker with potential.

[zolayes 14,489]

all the dream striker aside, it's actually pretty sad seeing Torres unable to pickup his talent after more than two seasons been with us. I do think that Chelsea has done everything to help him in every single way possible. Giving him the lead role, dropping Drogba (few games last season) & Sturridge and release Anelka. Bring in not one but at least four new creative player to bring the supplies. The fans keep cheering for him, we even naturally applaud him for a missing a sitter because we appreciate every effort by him. I can't be sure whether he had gave everything in his game or he's just totally lost his old self. if anyone claim Chelsea to blame for his flop, it's bollocks. We might seeing him leave in January, until then i'd never stop waiting for old Torres to come home.

I listened to Alan Hudson this morning stating clearly he thought Torres could be on his way to becoming as big as Osgood for us ...

I was surprised by his confidence but if Alan says that I would rather listen to him than most of the experts on here.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Torres isn't the answer. I can't speak to whether he's lost a step or the tactics aren't suitable although I suspect it's a bit of both.

However, if you look at the Hazard and Mata they need a striker who can score in tight spaces and who can score in variety of ways.

It seems as if Torres needs the perfect set of circumstances to score. Fair play to Torres for his goal V. Arsenal.

Chelsea needs a striker who is not only physical and aggressive enough to score sweaty goals but also has enough skill to score some stunners.

Lukaku fits the bill better than Torres except he's not fluid enough at this point, imo to score quick goals or to be able to create in extremely tight spaces.

Obviously it's not an easy thing to do otherwise Chelsea would have a premier striker by now. RVP would have been an incredible fit as stylistically he would fit in well with Mata and Hazard. Of course he's a world class srtiker, but for the sum Man U paid it's somewhat shocking that Roman didn't weaken a top rival while adding depth and strength to the roster

RVP in the last two seasons (10/11 and 11/12) - 59 goals in 81 PL games and cup/champ games

Torres in the last two seasons (10/11 and 11/12) - 12 goals in 67 PL games and cup/champ games

Falcao in the last two seasons (10/11 and 11/12) - 73 goals in 94 Liga/Por 1st div games and cup/champ games

Through today:

RVP - 66 goals in 89 PL games and cup/champ games

Torres - 17 goals in 78 PL games and cup/champ games

Falcao - 83 goals in 100 Liga/Por 1st div games and cup/champ games (46 goals in 56 games since joining athletico madrid)

It's just shocking how poor Torres has been I don't expect his production should be at RVP's or Falcao's level but he's at 1 goal per 4.6 games whereas RVP is 1 goal per 1.35 games and Falcao is at 1 goal per 1.21 games.

I think Chelsea's stature warrants a striker who can convert at 1 goal per 1.75 to 1.9 games.

[RamiCFC9 258]

I think Chelsea's stature warrants a striker who si called FALCAO.

[Dargo 6]

Like everyone else has said, Falcao, best finisher in the world at the moment.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I don't people appreciate how strikers would fit into different systems. Falcao is one of the best finishers in the world and nobody would dispute that, but as others have mentioned, I don't think that fits in well with Chelsea. Athletico are a team built around service to Falcao and creating space and opportunity for him. Chelsea are not like that in the least. All you have to do is look at the shots taken last season. Falcao took 124 shots last year in the league. The next highest total for the team was Adrian with 61, Diego had 56 and nobody else cracked 50.. Sturridge led Chelsea with 93 shots and then we had Torres, Drogba, Lampard, and Mata all with 65 or 66. This season, Falcao is taking 4.5 shots a game. Torres and Hazard are our shot leaders and they both have 13 shots in 6 matches.

Again, Falcao is a fantastic finisher, but he's not a multi-dimensional player the way a top striker should be. Just to show you statistically-a comparison to Cavani

Long balls per game-Cavani, 1.3, Falcao-0.2

Clearances per game-Cavani-2.5, Falcao-0.2

Tackles per game-Cavani-1.7, Falcao-0.6

Blocked shots per game-Cavani-1, Falcao-0

Dribbles per game-Cavani-1.5, Falcao-0.6

In fact, I think whoscored.com sums up strengths well

Falcao-Finishing-strong, long shots-strong, headed attempts-strong. Those are his attributes. Shooting and scoring. Now, you look at a top striker and I'll pick someone other than Cavani, take Van Persie. Key Passes-very strong, Holding on to the ball-strong, finishing-strong, long shots-strong, through-balls-strong, dribbling-strong, taking set pieces-strong. Scoring is the most important aspect of a strikers' game, but very few strikers are in the position that Falcao is in where a tea is built to get him opportunities. Chelsea is not built like that at all. We are built in a way where we need a balanced striker, not a poacher.

[BOSS 372]

El Shaarawy? He is a really good player and he is so young aswell. I watch Milan with my friends because lots of my buds are Milan fans. And El Shaarawy is a good player he's got so much skill and it would be good if we got him.

Like i have said before i always knew El Shaarawy would perform some time and now he has scored 5 goals in his last 4 games he has the potential to win player of the year award.

Milan always have an eye for great talents or should i say Galliani has that eye. I say we should buy El Shaarawy he will be great in the future and he is very good now aswell. He is a player that can create

chances for himself. It would be so good if we buy him now before he gets overpriced, this guy is going to be a future star believe me.

Look at these goals please....these goals we're from the last 4 matches he scored 5 in 4 matches btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDLBdSkWUBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8r5eLU4n2I&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XIFcQampKs&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2QF7InAM7k&feature=plcp

[Stats 7,136]

Like i have said before i always knew El Shaarawy would perform some time and now he has scored 5 goals in his last 4 games he has the potential to win player of the year award.

Milan always have an eye for great talents or should i say Galliani has that eye. I say we should buy El Shaarawy he will be great in the future and he is very good now aswell. He is a player that can create

chances for himself. It would be so good if we buy him now before he gets overpriced, this guy is going to be a future star believe me.

Look at these goals please....these goals we're from the last 4 matches he scored 5 in 4 matches btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDLBdSkWUBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8r5eLU4n2I&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XIFcQampKs&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2QF7InAM7k&feature=plcp

Very talented player but I think he will not want to leave Milan for a few years now. They may be inferior to last season but he is a vital member of their team now and has guaranteed starts. If he comes to a Chelsea or United, he would not get as much games as Milan so best for him to stay at his current club. Find it highly unrealistic that we will get him for quite a few years, if ever

[Thor 2,689]

I still think if given the chance, Sturridge would shine. He is perfectly selfish for the role if that makes sense. I haven't seen Torres take a shot outside the box in I don't know how long. Sturridge has that hunger, confidence and he never lacks belief.

Strong on the ball, he hardly ever loses it, has pace, etc. The only thing that would suffer slightly is link up play due to him being a horrible passer. Though he is 22 years old. He will get better at it. Hes got a deadly shot on goal as well.

I really want to see him get an opportunity up front for an extended period of time.

[Strike 7,474]

Robert Lewandowski. fits the current system