The striker situation has continued to be a problem for Chelsea. In fact, they have not had a consistent goalscorer in their ranks since Diego Costa left. How long has that been? It is no coincidence that the Blues have not won the Premier League since then as well. If you want to be the top team in England, you need a centre-forward finding the back of the net week in, week out.
Joao Pedro had made a fantastic start to life at Chelsea. He was phenomenal at the Club World Cup and his start to this campaign was pretty good as well. But all of a sudden, that form has completely evaporated. Over the last couple of months, he has not even had a shot on target and it has become pretty clear that he is not the 25-goal-a-season striker the fans were hoping for.
So, that search continues. One can only hope that Liam Delap's return to fitness helps this team moving forward. But it does feel like they need to bring in another proven goalscorer. Incidentally, they might have been handed the chance to sign one and for a bargain fee as well.
The player in question is none other than Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract at Juventus expires next summer. As reported by The Chelsea Chronicle, Graeme Bailey said:
"They’re being alerted to the fact that Vlahovic is available and he’s probably even available for less than 20 million in January but obviously it’s in the players hands and if he wants to move. It’s an option that the Chelsea have looked at before.
“They’ve been offered him. I’ve been told he’s looking for less money than what he’s on at Juventus now. He didn’t want to take a wage drop, but he’s looking for less money now. So, I think it’s an option that’s being presented to Chelsea and one clearly they know all about him. I mean, Vlahovic isn’t a secret to anyone and he’s only 25."
Chelsea offered chance to sign £70m striker for below £20m in January
Chelsea have been linked with Vlahovic going back to his days at Fiorentina. Back then, he was viewed as someone who had the same potential as Erling Haaland.
Well, it would be safe to say that Vlahovic was not able to meet those expectations at Juventus. He was decent enough and scored at a fine rate. But he did not prove to be the elite striker they were hoping for when they signed him for a £70 million fee.
Now, Chelsea could try and push to sign him for around £20 million in January. Or they could choose to wait a few more months and bring him in as a a free agent in the summer.