As reported by Sky Sports, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has recently opened up on Michy Batshuayi. The club legend believes that the Belgian should stay to maintain the competition in attack. The report claims that Batshuayi has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after not featuring in any of Chelsea’s two games this season. However, Lampard is keen to keep hold of the striker and wants him to fight for his place.
Does Batshuayi have a future at Chelsea?
Chelsea are currently devoid of options in the striking department. The Blues sold Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis this summer while Gonzalo Higuain returned to Juventus following the end of his loan spell. The club’s most productive player, Eden Hazard, also left the club in favour of a big-money move to Real Madrid.
This is coupled with FIFA’s transfer ban that will restrict Chelsea from signing any players from the transfer market until next summer. As a result, the west London giants only have three options in the number nine role in Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud and Batshuayi.
Abraham is coming on the back of a prolific spell at Aston Villa in the Championship. But, he is relatively inexperienced at the highest level of football. As for Giroud, he has never really managed to find his scoring boots at Chelsea, scoring only five Premier League goals since joining the club in 2018.
Batshuayi, therefore, has a realistic chance of becoming Chelsea’s number one striker this season. The Belgian already has vast experience at the top level and shouldn’t find it challenging to take on the mantle of regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge.
How can Batshuayi benefit the Chelsea attack?
Batshuayi is primarily known for his tendency to be at the right place at the right time. Much like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 25-year-old has excellent positioning sense inside the 18-yard box. This feature could be handy, especially with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Willian and Pedro operating on the flanks.
The aforementioned wingers are all adept in getting to the byline and providing dangerous crosses into the box. Batshuayi, in that regard, can sneak between defenders and find himself an excellent scoring opportunity. Furthermore, the Belgian loves to take down opposing ball-carriers, which is always useful in the first line of press.
But, what makes Batshuayi such an essential component in the attack is his technical prowess. The ex-Marseille star is proficient in playing quick one-twos and can also create scoring opportunities for his team. And with Chelsea lacking any reliable source of goals, Batshuayi should stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge this season.
