On The Strikers' Issue

[NishC300 1,865]

A blurred view of long blonde hair rushing past you with incredible speed before your eyes are followed by the sight of men chasing that hair into the distance, arms stretched out and running at it with felicity. That was a common sight for defenders in England in the past when Torres would don the Red of Liverpool, scoring for fun and then wheeling off to celebrate his goals with his teammates keeping up as he rushed towards the Kop. Were you thinking that I was talking about someone else?

Eventually things changed and upon joining Chelsea back in 2011, it has not been so good for the Spaniard. Signing Torres for a club record of £50million has to go down as one of the most regrettable transfers the Blues have ever purchased. Torres is no longer carries the same goal scoring threat he once was and no matter how hard he tries, he is still unable to provide that same driving force. Unfortunately, Chelsea have to endure with his misfiring form and also the enormous wages he is earning at Stamford Bridge. No doubt Torres has been working hard, running around chasing loose balls and using his 6’ height to improve his aerial ability to contribute to the team but again, he lacks that driving force and parlous ability to score goals in the manner he used to.

On the other hand, the Blues’ other option Demba Ba, a towering 6’ 2” Senegalese, does not seem to have the ability to bang in an enormous amount of goals that would lead his team to their 3rd league title under Jose Mourinho. His performance was good last season and he performed to his level that the fans know. Ba left us with our mouth gaping on several occasions - most notable his two magnificent goals against the Manchester clubs - but can often be too one dimensional and predictable as well as seemingly lacking the intelligence and predatory instincts many top strikers have. That being said, he might well prove us all wrong though in his upcoming full season at the club.

That leaves with the young Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. Born in Antwerp, Lukaku had a brilliant loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season and arguably, became well known for smashing a hat-trick past Manchester United. He has been tipped by many to be the next Drogba, the striker who so famously ruled the Premier League with an iron fist - winning two golden boots in his 8-year stay at Chelsea. At 6’ 3”, Lukaku has been sensational throughout pre-season but yet, people have claimed that being a 20-year old striker is too young to boss the No.9 role resulting in suggestions that going into the season with the 3 said strikers would be a massive risk.

Yet Chelsea do have some wingers who can fill in a part-time role as a centre forward with Victor Moses being one of them. The Nigerian has enjoyed an excellent pre-season and possesses the ability to leave defenders for dead, using his trickery and pace to beat them. The question though is whether does he have the finishing to play as a centre forward? Another option is Chelsea’s first signing this summer, Andre Schurrle. Being a very one-footed player, the German international enjoys cutting onto his right foot and unleash powerful shots at goal. Schurrle has often been criticised for this ‘shoot on sight’ policy which can often lead to attacks going to waste, but where better to use this ability in a role that does not require him to cut inside and shoot?

As a result of all this uncertainty, the Blues are keen to sign a new striker to solve this problem immediately as the much publicized pursuit of Wayne Rooney from Manchester United has showed with the striker also keen to leave Old Trafford. However, while Chelsea hope to bring Rooney to West London, they will hope the move will see him return to his 2009/10 season form as his bad lifestyle has affected his fitness drastically including his performances level.

Elsewhere, in the midst of all the Rooney to Chelsea speculation, Luiz Suarez has openly stated that he wishes to move away from Liverpool. Though carrying the tag of being one of the most controversial characters in the world, Suarez has been magnificent over the past couple of seasons at Anfield, scoring vital goals for his club and country and he continues to excel. His incredible intelligence and ability to weave away from defenders and scoring ‘magical’ goals has made him one of the most potent strikers around. Chelsea could do a lot worse than trying to get the Uruguayan in but what they do have to consider is that Suarez will be serving his domestic ban at the beginning of the season for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield back in April - a moment that no Chelsea fan will forget. Moreover, he has a tendency to commit acts of stupidity and has received bans numerous times. Signing Suarez would be pretty worthless given he will miss out on key games early on this season. That being said though, despite Suarez carrying a higher transfer fee than Rooney, at least according to what is being said in the media, Chelsea could actually save up to £5,200,000 per annum in wages purchasing the former rather than the latter.

Another striking option that has appeared out of the blue is Samuel Eto’o who has been linked with Chelsea in recent days and he has openly stated he would love to be reunited with Jose Mourinho. The pair worked together at Inter Milan and helped the club to win the treble in 2009/10 season and it is reported that the Blues could get him for a low price. Eto’o could provide a good option as Torres and Ba continue to flounder and until Lukaku fully matures and is ready to step up to the plate. This does though bring us back the old question, ‘Were Chelsea right to let Drogba leave?’

Many fans have said ‘yes’ because of the fairytale ending to his Chelsea career where he scoring the winning penalty kick guiding the Blues to win the Champions League - a feat that no other London clubs have achieved. In my opinion, why was Drogba being allowed to leave when at that time, we did not have a capable replacement for him? Even though he might not have played week in week out, he would have been handy for all the big games. So does the reported pursuit of Eto’o showed that Chelsea made a mistake in this aspect - that they have not suitably replaced Drogba and they are now chasing after a striker who is past 30 years old? Signing Eto’o would represent a gamble but the question is, is it worthy to do so?

This current Chelsea boast an array of attacking talents but lacks a true quality striker upfront. Profligacy in front of goal last season has often cost the team games that should have been won comfortably and hopefully, the club will find a solution soon.

[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[NishC300 1,865]

 

*bump*

 

 

I wrote don not do. 1st paragraph,

it should be don the Red of Liverpool.

*bump*

 

[bushman 2,043]

I see nishC tries his hardest. A good post though. Perhaps, too long ?

Since Chelsea have not signed any striker so far & it looks like none are lined up at Stamford Bridge, what´s the next scoop, I may ask ?

As for Drogba leaving. I believe, the club allowed him to leave because they thought Fernando may wake up & start scoring, sort of giving him a chance. The rest of that deal, we all know now.

[Jase 43,479]

   

   

Silly auto-correct!

[NishC300 1,865]

I see nishC tries his hardest. A good post though. Perhaps, too long ?

Since Chelsea have not signed any striker so far & it looks like none are lined up at Stamford Bridge, what´s the next scoop, I may ask ?

As for Drogba leaving. I believe, the club allowed him to leave because they thought Fernando may wake up & start scoring, sort of giving him a chance. The rest of that deal, we all know now.

It's an article. That's why it's this long.

[bushman 2,043]

It's an article. That's why it's this long.

Yes, I can see. Regardless, whom to sign as Chelsea´s striker now ?

Not many options, I feel. One thing, I do not understand though. Jose knew Chelsea needs a striker. Why wait so long to sign one ?

[NishC300 1,865]

Nobody repped?

[bushman 2,043]

Nobody repped?

Your popularity is dwindling ?

[NishC300 1,865]

Your popularity is dwindling ?

nope. Everyone here knows I hate United.

[yuvala 2,167]

Good read !

Seems like we'll stick with Ba Torres and Lukaku for this upcoming season.

[bushman 2,043]

nope. Everyone here knows I hate United.

If you wish, add me to your club.

[NishC300 1,865]

If you wish, add me to your club.

Club? I just dislike them. So?

[bushman 2,043]

Club? I just dislike them. So?

You could be the president, chairman, finances...& all.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Shurrle can be our v.Persie.

Winger to world-class centre forward...just give him some time

[NishC300 1,865]

1st game tomorrow.

*BUMP*

[Stingray 9,441]

Nice read Nish!

[NishC300 1,865]

Nice read Nish!

Thanks.