Following the club record signing of Alvaro Morato from Real Madrid this summer, Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte is apparently seeking a backup striker in the January transfer window.
Even though the Blues boasts the likes of Michy Batshuayi on the bench, Conte has appeared to lose faith on the Belgian striker, in recent weeks. In fact, the Italian prefers to play with no striker at all and assign talismanic Eden Hazard, the false number nine role instead of playing Batshuayi, when Morata is unavailable.
Therefore, it’s only obvious that the Blues desperately need a backup striker in the winter transfer window and according to reports, the defending champions are interested in the services of Red Star Belgrade’s marksman Richmond Boakye.
Although very few Chelsea will recognise the name, Richmond Boakye has been a star in the Belgian league this season. The Ghanian International has been the central feature behind Red Star’s success this season, helping the club open up a nine-point gap at the top. He has scored an impressive 15 goals in just 14 games in the Serbian league whilst scoring 23 goals all competition, eight of which came in the Europa League this season.
However, his contribution to Red Star’s league form this season is nothing when compared to his influence behind the Serbian’s remarkable Europa League campaign this year. Red Star have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the knockout stages, as they finish second behind Arsenal in their Europa League, earlier this month. Richmond Boakye’s seven goals in the qualifying rounds have throttled the club to qualification into the main stage.
Hardened by years of experience playing at different clubs, Boakye has emerged as one of the most improved Ghanian footballers in recent time.
In fact, he is currently a subject of transfer interest from several top clubs around Europe. However, the 24-year-old has already set his sights on Chelsea, as it seems, as he hopes for a reunion with Antonio Conte.
“Conte wanted me and brought me to Juventus from Sassuolo,” Boayke explained last month. “For me, he represented a great coach and I’ll always thank him.
“I remember when I was loaned to Elche because there was no room for me, he called me to remind me that I had all the qualities. For a 19-year-old boy, it was very satisfying. If he wants me, I’m so happy to find him again.” – he said, as per Football London.
Richmond Boakye could add some much-needed depth in the attacking department and could possibly eclipse the highly talented Michy Batshuayi as the preferred backup option for Antonio Conte.
