Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window after losing Armando Broja to a long-term injury.
Armando Broja, 21, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa earlier this week. It is a big blow of losing Broja to injury, leaving manager Graham Potter now with a lack of options up top.
Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea are set to target a striker in the winter window, with the west London club currently still planning to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig next summer. The club are yet to draw a shortlist but the idea is to sign a new striker in January to replace Broja, Romano added.
The Blues have been short of goals this season, managing only 17 in 14 Premier League games. They spent big on the likes of Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer, but the duo have been disappointing in front of goal, to say the least.
With Chelsea planning to bring in a striker, here are three potential options Graham Potter could consider.
#Joao Felix
Joao Felix became Atletico Madrid’s record signing after he joined from Benfica back in 2019 for well over £100m, but his time at the Spanish capital appears to be coming to an end.
The Portugal international, 23, has apparently fallen out with Atletico manager Diego Simeone this season and has expressed his desire to leave the club, with chief executive Miguel Angel Gil confirming the player’s stance. As Atletico are now open to selling Felix following their elimination from the Champions League, Chelsea must consider signing him in January.
Felix is more than capable of playing across the front three, and he would bring flair, speed, creativity and goals to Chelsea’s attack. For a young player needing a different environment to resurrect his stuttering career, Graham Potter could be the perfect manager to help him realise his true potential.
#Marcus Thuram
Marcus Thuram’s contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expires at the end of the season, meaning he could be available for a cut-price fee in January. On that note, Chelsea must make an attempt to sign the France international after he has returned from the World Cup.
Adding Thuram to Chelsea’s XI could make a huge difference, as the Frenchman’s versatility, hold-up play and aerial ability will give a different dimension to their attack. Potter’s side needs goals in the second half of the campaign and Thuram could provide that.
As the Blues have lost Broja to a season-ending injury, Gladbach’s Thuram perhaps would be a good option to consider.
#Cristiano Ronaldo
Armando Broja’s injury is likely to force Chelsea into the January transfer market to sign a replacement. As a result, the Blues could do a good job by reviving their interest in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, 37, left Manchester United with immediate effect after the club terminated his contract by mutual agreement following his interview with Piers Morgan. He is now free to find another club and the veteran forward could be a top stop-gap arrangement for the Pensioners.
Chelsea have made it to Champions League last 16, which could be tempting enough for the Portuguese superstar to arrive at Stamford Bridge as he still wishes to play at the highest level in Europe.
