Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes that the club needs to sign a new striker. The Blues have struggled up front this season. During the first half of the season, Alvaro Morata was serving as first-choice striker for the club. The Spaniard struggled for form and was subsequently shipped out on loan to Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window.
The club subsequently brought in Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus in January. The Argentine has also failed to hit the ground running this season at Stamford Bridge and could be set to return to Italy this summer. While Olivier Giroud is set to remain at the club, the Frenchman is not a prolific scorer. He can still play as a support striker and cover option but cannot be relied upon to score more than 15 goals in the Premier League. If the Blues want to challenge for major silverware next season, they may need a striker who can score not less than 20 goals in the Premier League.
Things may be complicated for the Blues this summer. Due to their transfer ban, they may not be able to sign any new players for the next two transfer windows. They may thus have to consider re-integrating one of their strikers who are out on loan into the first-team. The main options that they will have are Tammy Abraham (who has been on loan with Aston Villa this season), Michy Batshuayi (who has been on loan with Crystal Palace) and Higuain (who has been on loan with Atleti).
“I think Chelsea need to sign a striker, a new number nine and he should wear that number,” Hasselbaink told Goal.com.
“I like Giroud and I sometimes think he is not treated fairly. He is unfortunate not to get more opportunities.
“He does make the other players play better but the only thing is that he doesn’t get enough goals. I am glad he is staying. I don’t think Higuain will stay. So they need another striker to come into the club at Chelsea.”
