Chelsea have been linked with a number of superstar strikers from abroad this summer, but should they look closer to home for a solution?
Chelsea have already spent £85 million this summer, and few would bet against them extending that amount over the next 36 hours to reach three figures.
The area of their star-studded team which needs strengthening is their attack, for if Fernando Torres got injured, there are worries over whether Daniel Sturridge could lead the line on his own, especially with Chelsea likely to end up playing twice per week.
So the quest for the missing piece in their jigsaw has led them on a so-far fruitless search around Europe, attempting to sign Hulk, Andre Schurrle, and Edinson Cavani.
Schurrle would likely cost around £25 million, while the two others would cost around £40 million.
It appears as though they are banging their head against a brick wall in their efforts to pursue these three players. But perhaps more poignant, do they even need to sign somebody for that high amount?
With Torres firing, Chelsea do not want to unnecessarily upset the apple cart, the Spaniard did not play well when competing for position with Drogba, and a cut-price alternative may be just the solution.
The man we are talking about is Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield Town’s 40 goal striker who set the Football League alight last season.
He is being linked with a move to Blackburn, and Rovers are hoping to tie up a deal before the transfer deadline. A sideways switch? Perhaps? Perhaps a slight step up, but what about a bigger step up to Chelsea. Is it ridiculous to suggest that Chelsea should steal in with a late bid?
Now yes, he is untested at the highest level, but what we do know, is that he is a natural goalscorer with bags of potential who is crying out for an opportunity at the top. He scored on his international debut for Scotland against Australia recently, and would surely thrive at Chelsea.
He is reported to be available for as little as £6 million, and Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham are known admirers, and have money from the sale of Moussa Dembele which they could yet use to trump Blackburn’s offer.
With a supporting case of Juan Mata, Oscar, Victor Moses, and Eden Hazard supplying the chances, Jordan Rhodes could be a real success story at Chelsea.
If they signed him, there would be no pressure on Di Matteo to start him in every game, rather use him as an impact player off the bench, and the striker would love the chance to test himself in the Premier League and Champions League.
At only 22, he is one for the future and fits the Chelsea philosophy which they have been busy implementing this summer. At around £34 million cheaper than Hulk, and with no ego to boot, he could be the perfect bargain for Chelsea to round off their summer spending with, and add another talented young Brit to their side.
If he goes to Blackburn, then it will be the the Premier League’s loss – although possibly their gain in a year’s time, but Rhodes is just an example of the type of talented, young striker Chelsea could add to their side without breaking the bank for a foreign superstar.
What do you think, should Chelsea spend big or go for a bargain option?
image: © Sutherland85
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