4 strikers Chelsea could realistically target if they fail to sign Moussa Dembele this winter

Chelsea have been looking to add a striker to their rooster this month, but a move has not materialized so far. Frank Lampard is desperate to provide able competition for Tammy Abraham at the Stamford Bridge and has been monitoring quite a few goalscorers since the start of this transfer window. Among the many names linked with the Blues so far is Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.

The Frenchman has gathered rave reviews since making the move to Ligue 1 and has been on fine form so far this season. Chelsea have already registered a £34m bid for Dembele with the French side, but Lyon have rejected the offer. And the Ligue 1 club have also issued a statement, reiterating their desire of keeping the Frenchman at the club beyond the month.

As such, even though Chelsea are still hopeful of managing a deal, there’s every chance that Dembele will not be moving to Stamford Bridge this month. In such a scenario, Lampard will have to turn his attentions elsewhere and assess alternative targets. Today, we bring you 4 strikers Chelsea could attempt to sign if they fail to secure Moussa Dembele this month.

#4 Fedor Chalov (Russia, CSKA Moscow)

Chelsea have been monitoring the Russian striker for quite some time and it appears that Roman Abramovich is an admirer of his countryman. However, the Blues are not the only club interested in the player, Crystal Palace have tried to sign him in the past. The Eagles even had a few bids rejected for the CSKA Moscow player before the start of this season, including a £25m offer on transfer deadline day.

Chalov has already displayed his goalscoring prowess for club and country, which has seen his stocks rise this season. The 21-year-old will certainly suit Lampard, who has shown an eagerness to put his trust in young players this season. The Russian rose to prominence through the CSKA Moscow academy and has scored 36 times from 113 games for his club so far at the senior level.

Even though Chalov might not have the star power of a big name signing, Chelsea could consider him as an alternative to Dembele. The Russian has all the attributes to succeed under Lampard and could be a clever bit of business for the blues.

#3 Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, PSG)

Lampard has openly professed his admiration for the PSG striker and Chelsea have been linked with Cavani since the start of the month. However, the blues have severe competition for the striker’s signature, with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid also monitoring the player at the moment. The Uruguayan is set to turn 33 next month but remains one of the most lethal strikers of the world at the moment.

Cavani caught the eye during his time with Napoli in the Serie A, where he scored 104 goals from 138 appearances over 3 seasons. That earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he has scored 198 goals from 292 appearances. While Chelsea will have to battle it out for his signature, Cavani could be a stellar alternative to Dembele at the Stamford Bridge.

The Uruguayan’s experience and presence in the opposition box could be vital for Lampard’s relatively young attacking line-up. The Uruguayan is strong in the air and alert in the opposition box. His movement and ability to score crucial goals could come in handy for Lampard, while Cavani would also be a fine mentor for the likes of Tammy Abraham.

#2 Krzysztof Piatek (Poland, AC Milan)

A season ago, Piatek was one of the hottest properties of European football. The Polish striker joined Genoa at the start of the 2018/19 season and immediately stunned the world with his goalscoring prowess. Piatek managed 19 goals from 21 games in the first half of last season and caused top clubs in Europe to sit up and take notice.

However, it was AC Milan to managed to secure his signature last winter. The Polish striker ended the second half of the season with 11 goals from 21 games for Milan. This season he has managed just 5 goals from 19 appearances, but is still under the radar of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, among other clubs. And, the Polish striker could also be a fantastic addition to the Chelsea team.

Piatek has all the qualities of an ideal No. 9; he is tall, well build, good in the air and is an accurate finisher. Moreover, his presence in the box and excellent positioning makes him an enticing prospect for Lampard. However, getting him to Stamford Bridge might not be easy, given the line of clubs already vying for his signature.

#1 Timo Werner (Germany, RB Leipzig)

Undoubtedly one of the top strikers in Europe at the moment, Werner’s outstanding form this season means that he is one of the best alternatives to Dembele for Chelsea. The German’s steady rise in the world of football has been well documented in recent years, but Werner has hit a higher level his season already. The RB Leipzig striker has already scored 25 goals this season and is on an outstanding run of 15 goals in his last 11 games!

The German striker has embarked on a breathtaking golden boot race in the Bundesliga this season, matching Robert Lewandowski toe to toe so far. The Polish striker has 21 goals so far in the league, while Werner has 20; both players are averaging a goal every 80 minutes played! While he is already among an elite class of goal scorers, his age is another reason why he would suit Lampard just fine.

The 23-year-old has the ability to light up Stamford Bridge and has previously expressed his admiration for the Premier League. Question is, can Chelsea manage to secure his signature this month? If they do manage to get Werner, though, it will most certainly be the deal of the winter.

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Edited by A. Ayush Chatterjee