AS Roma are reportedly keen on signing Chelsea striker Michy before the end of the Italian summer transfer window.
Batshuayi did not even make the bench for Chelsea’s season opener against Manchester United, and it seems that new manager Frank Lampard is not a fan of the 25-year-old striker.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma want to sign Batshuayi as a replacement for Edin Dzeko, who could be on his way to Inter Milan, as per reports (Marca).
Dzeko is being eyed as a replacement for Mauro Icardi, who might leave Inter before the end of the transfer window.
Batshuayi has been with Chelsea since 2016, signing for the Blues from Marseille for a fee of €40 million. In his first season, he scored 9 goals in 28 appearances, followed by 10 goals in 25 appearances the following season, before being shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, and then to Valencia and Crystal Palace last season.
The Belgian striker scored 6 in 13 appearances for the London club last season.
What should be Lampard and Chelsea’s play here?
The transfer ban has seriously hampered Chelsea’s season under new manager Frank Lampard, and losing a player without the option of signing a new one does not seem like a smart move.
Chelsea lack a genuine goal-scoring forward as the likes of Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain failed to deliver before leaving the club.
If the first game of the season is any indication, Lampard will offer opportunities to Chelsea’s hugely talented youngsters, which means that striker Tammy Abraham – who scored 26 goals for Aston Villa in the Championship last season – will be an integral part of Lampard’s set-up.
Experienced striker Olivier Giroud could be the backup option for Abraham, which means that if either one of them suffers a serious, long-term injury, Chelsea will not have any senior striker to call upon, if they sell Batshuayi.
Batshuayi should be given an opportunity to show what he is capable of, at least till the January transfer window, before Chelsea decide to offload him.
The Blues can’t risk losing yet another senior player to weaken the squad further. If the Belgian can score 10 goals coming off the bench this season, it could be useful in Chelsea’s quest for a Champions League spot.