Marko Arnautovic’s agent (who happens to be his brother) recently confirmed that Chelsea are one of the clubs who are interested in him and he believes that the player is willing to take the next big step in his career. The 29-year-old forward started as a left winger and was turned into a false nine under David Moyes, and since then, the Austrian has been a talismanic feature for the Hammers up front.
He has already bagged five goals this season and even drew interest from Manchester United in the summer transfer window who were put off by his exorbitant price tag.
The 29-year-old has struggled with hamstring injuries but when fit, the Hammers look a stronger team, and he would be a significant loss for Manuel Pellegrini especially when his other strikers like Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll have struggled for form and fitness of late.
Arnautovic’s agent was quoted as saying,”He is ready for the next step. It’s not like that he wants to leave, but we believe that the time has come that Marko takes a step forward in his career, maybe try to win a trophy, maybe the Champions League. The stats are on his side. Many Premier League clubs are following him, like Chelsea and Everton, but they are not the only ones.”
The Blues are definitely in need of a striker as both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata aren’t providing the goals which are expected from the strikers of a title challenging side. Reports are also doing the round that Maurizio Sarri is willing to let Giroud leave Stamford Bridge in January and Marseille are interested in bringing back the World Cup winner to France.
Arnautovic has transformed into a proper centre-forward since the second half of last season, and he has been thriving in a more central role. His physical prowess helps him play as a target man but his ability on the ball is sharp, and he is often tough to dislodge from the ball when in possession. The former Inter Milan player packs a mean punch with his right foot, and he has a good eye for goal as well.
We believe the Austrian can be a good fit for the Pensioners more so when he has top creators behind him. Morata is often too weak and soft on the ball, and even in possession, he is brushed off way too quickly.
With Arnautovic on the pitch, Sarri can rely on him to hold up play, and he is not too bad in front of goal as well. Given that he is 29, the forward might not be a long-term option for the Blues, but he can do an excellent job for the next two odd years.
