17-year old Jann-Fiete Arp of Hamburger SV had been linked with a move to English champions Chelsea. The Hamburger SV star at the age of 17 has already made a mark in the game. He has played four games so far this season and scored two goals for the relegation-threatened club. Out of four appearances, one was a substitution appearance constituting hardly a minute on the pitch. In the other three matches, the 17-year-old has found the back of the net twice and the German media has now linked him with a move to the top sides in Europe.
It was reported in the summer that Chelsea came calling for him with a lucrative offer but the transfer never materialized. However, the move might not be easy in the January given the demand for the player and Chelsea might have to look elsewhere.
As for Chelsea, Alvaro Morata has had a dream start to his career at the Bridge after scoring 8 goals and setting up 2 more for the club. Chelsea’s record signing from Real Madrid has hit the ground running and has so far proved himself to be an able replacement for Diego Costa.
Morata has been in red-hot form for club and country and has racked up 10 goals already this season. This included a weekend hat-trick against Stoke in the Premier League followed up by a commanding display in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United where he scored the only goal of the match.
Chelsea’s back-up striker Michy Batshuayi despite scoring 7 goals this season has not shown the consistency Conte demands and the Italian’s decision to rebuff the striker for the City match exposed Chelsea’s weakness.
Chelsea’s lack of options up front coupled with Conte’s lack of willingness to bank on Batshuyai for the big matches clearly shows their dependency on the 24-year old Spanish forward and here is a look at the options Conte can opt for come January.
Tammy Abraham
Chelsea’s easiest option is their young forward; Tammy Abraham, who is on loan at Swansea City. He has scored four goals for the struggling South Wales club and has demonstrated excellent mental and physical tenacity in leading the line for a team in the English league.
Abraham, who was on loan at Bristol City last season, will be hoping that he can sustain his current streak. If the young Englishman can keep playing well, Conte will be compelled with good reason to induct him into the first team ahead of Batshuayi.
Moussa Dembele
Celtic forward Moussa Dembele bagged 32 goals in his first season in Scotland which helped Celtic swoop the domestic treble. Despite struggling with injuries this term he still has seven goals in fourteen games for the Hoops. He has scored a massive 39 goals in just 63 games for the club already and has become their first team hitman above Griffiths.
The Italian tactician would love to see Dembele as an ideal back up to Alvaro and with the Frenchman also able to operate alongside Morata, Conte might decide to use him alongside the Spaniard with Hazard in behind in a top 3 should Dembele be able to continue his goal scoring exploits of Celtic at West London.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge is no longer an integral member of the Liverpool first team. His time at the club has been frustrating this season and the English forward this season has not played enough despite being fit.
He was snubbed for the Three Lions call this time and Conte might want to look at Sturridge as a viable and tested option who would be keen to join any club where he can play more with the 2018 FIFA World Cup coming up.
