The golden generation in Italy sure is creating some waves. The Serie A might have been a one-horse race in the last few years, but some of the talents emerging from the Italian league could go on and achieve big things with the national team in the coming years. One of those is Torino striker Andrea Bellotti.
Now, Chelsea under the stewardship of Antonio Conte have unsurprisingly been linked with some Serie A stars. They were rebuffed by quite a few defenders in the summer and ended up signing David Luiz that many deemed a farcical move only for the Blues to shut up their critics and go on a 13-game unbeaten run. The Brazilian has been a key player at the back.
Despite being snubbed, Conte is likely to go back to the Serie A and try luring some of the upcoming players. Belotti, according to reports in Italy, could be an option to potentially Diego Costa who hasn’t seen eye to eye with Conte. Although he returned to the team and scored the opening game against Hull City in Chelsea’s latest league win, there’s a feeling that all’s not well in the camp.
Bellotti might still be 23 but has shown glimpses of the player he can be in the near future. In 18 league games so far this season, he has managed 14 goals and is one of the best strikers in the Serie A. He has shown the poise of a veteran striker and his finishing has been top notch. Chances don’t come at a premium in Serie A as it’s a tough league to play in tactically, which means the conversion rates of strikers needs to be really high, and Bellotti has managed just that.
With a good burst of pace and a skill or two up his sleeve, he could thrive in the open nature of the Premier League and could help Chelsea manage the high expectations they have already set for themselves.
He won’t come cheap though as Torino rejected a £56m bid from Arsenal not so long ago and a figure higher than that certainly seems steep. Having said that, Chelsea have the financial muscle to pull off the deal and their transfer kitty has been significantly increased after the sales of Oscar and Obi Mikel recently. One thing is certain, if Conte does sign him, he’ll have one hell of a player who can set the Premier League on fire.
