Three forwards Chelsea could sign in January to boost attacking options

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  • Chelsea have been struggling in front of goal and following a 0-0 draw at home to Southampton, Maurizio Sarri has voiced his desire to dip into the transfer market.

    The Italian is desperate to boost his attacking options after being unimpressed with strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

    The Blues have scored just four goals in their last five games and are growing increasingly reliant on Eden Hazard to hit the target.

    Sarri said after the clash with the Saints: “The club knows very well my opinion. I think we need something different for characteristics.

    “I’m not in charge of the market. I have to try to improve my players, my team, my offensive phase, or better my offensive phase in the last 20 metres.”

    Here, we look at three players the Blues could sign in January to boost their attack.

    CALLUM WILSON

    After 21 Premier League games this season, 12th-placed Bournemouth’s tally of 31 goals is just seven short of Chelsea’s 38 in fourth. Callum Wilson has largely been responsible for their potency in attack, scoring nine goals so far, only one behind Hazard.

    Such has been the striker’s form that he earned a first England call-up earlier in the campaign, scoring on debut. With his pace, runs in behind, composed finishing and hold-up play, Wilson is emerging as the complete striker.

    There’s no reason why he can’t fit into the system at Chelsea while he’s shown he’s a far more reliable finisher than the current crop. Bournemouth won’t want to let their star man go as a relegation battle may yet be on the cards but in Josh King and Jermaine Defoe, they do have back-up while Ryan Fraser and David Brooks continue to chip in with goals from midfield.

    GONZALO HIGUAIN

    Higuain.

    Higuain.

    Sarri has long been an admirer of Gonzalo Higuain and even tried to bring him to Chelsea in the summer. At the time, the Blues were not convinced by the 31-year-old who ended up joining AC Milan on loan from Juventus.

    However, things have not gone to plan at the San Siro and the Argentine has voiced his desire to play in the Premier League.

    The former Napoli forward is not exactly in his prime but still a world class goalscorer when he’s on his game.

    Sarri believes he can bring the best out of Higuain and if that proves to be the case, Chelsea could have a premier striker on their hands.

    LORENZO INSIGNE

    Sarri has suggested that Chelsea don’t necessarily need a striker but perhaps a winger with Hazard capable of playing through the middle.

    One player who thrived on the left flank under Sarri is Lorenzo Insigne. With Dries Mertens playing as a centre forward, Insigne provided an option on the outside at Napoli while his diagonal runs in behind were always a threat.

    The Italian would suit the way Sarri would like to set up Chelsea’s attack but he won’t come cheap. Given Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-4-2 system at Napoli though, there’s only room for two of Arkadiusz Milik, Mertens and Insigne in attack so the Serie A outfit may be open to a move.

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