Chelsea chasing Demba Ba - Right Choice?

Newcastle United recently confirmed Chelsea‘s 7.5 million pound bid for their star striker Demba Ba. As things stand at the moment, Fernando Torres is the only recognized striker for the Blues (Daniel Sturridge has just signed for Liverpool while Romelu Lukaku is still out on loan). In all probability, Demba Ba will sign for the Blues for two reasons – the lure of Champions League football (they will surely qualify for the next edition!) and an obvious increase in wages. So what would be the striking options at Chelsea’s disposal? What does Demba Ba bring to the table?

Has he played his last game for Newcastle?

Definitely, Ba is being looked at by Chelsea as an alternative option, or as a backup for Fernando Torres. Abramovich and his group will certainly not be impressed with the manager if Ba succeeds in relegating Torres to the bench. It happened last year, but the hard fact remains that both AVB and Sturridge are no more at Chelsea, while Torres still is. The 50 million striker will still be preferred over a 7 and a half million one. Transfer fee aside, Demba Ba provides them with an alternative striking option, one who can hold up play by being the target of long balls, or win flick-ons for the pacier players to latch onto, much like their departed Ivorian legend. The stats are there to see – Ba has scored 36 league goals in his West Ham and Newcastle United career, relying on the service of players like Nolan, Noble, Cabaye, Tiote and Ben Arfa. With presumably better playmakers behind him, he can surely fire in the goals wearing the blue of Chelsea.

The signing of Demba Ba (in January, for a bargain price as well) will definitely prove to be a shrewd purchase, much like Gary Cahill last year. But would that stop the rumor mill? That would still leave Chelsea at where they started the window – with two strikers in the squad and the requirement of a backup. Lukaku is performing tremendously for West Bromwich Albion at the moment. In spite of the clause permitting Chelsea to recall him, it would be best suited for him to stay there till the end of the season and continue his development. The start of the next season will see a fresher, fitter, a more experienced and stronger Romelu Lukaku ready to challenge the 50 million man and his Senegalese sidekick. Logically, Chelsea need a new striker for the rest of the season, which means, a loan deal.

So what are the possible options? Realistically, there aren’t any. Most of the big name players mentioned are rumored to be targets for a permanent transfer – Radamel Falcao, David Villa, Andre Schurrle, and Theo Walcott. But there isn’t a requirement of signing most of the above players on a permanent basis for reasons mentioned above. Victor Moses can put in a decent shift as a striker, but the need of the hour is a proven and experienced goal poacher to come off the bench and finish off the opposition.

Hey. hang on. The possibility of Roman Abramovich reading this opinion is absolutely remote. Do not be surprised if he defies all logic and common sense, and bankrolls another spending spree by signing a 50 million Colombian (we all know who that is!) and possibly many others too.

But really, getting a striker on loan is all you have to do Mr. Abramovich. We, and you, are yet to see the expected results of that grand investment, the last time you spent big on a single player in January!