Chelsea Will Sign A Striker This Summer

Filed in archive Champions League on March 8, 2006

source: pub.tv2..net

Following Chelsea's Champions League exit to Barcelona there are whispers that Mourinho needs more flair players. What this really means is that Chelsea need Ronaldinho, as he was the difference between the two teams.

Any team needs Ronaldinho, he's officially the best player in the world, but there's nothing wrong with Chelsea's midfield. It's brilliantly organised, with Makelele providing a solid base for Lampard to get forward to score. Though Chelsea paid over the odds for Essien, his work-rate and all round athleticism typifies the hard-working midfielder Mourinho likes. If they do sign Michael Ballack this summer (as looks likely) then they can stop worrying about the midfield.

What Chelsea desperately need is a striker. Playing one forward and two wingers placed huge demands on the forward, and neither Drogba or Crespo is up to the task. Drogba is an effective battering ram, but lacks the class and composure of a top class striker. For £24million he looks like a deluxe version of Ade Akinbiyi.

Crespo has a bit more quality but isn't comfortable playing on his own. He seems to prefer playing with a second striker. You could see how ineffective he was when balls were pinged across the box in the last 30 minutes against Barcelona.

Mourinho probably knows this, so this summer we can expect to him to splash some Abramovich cash on a striker who can fill this role. The ideal candidates would be Samuel Eto'o or Thierry Henry, but Barcelona and Arsenal aer unlikely to sell. Ruud Van Nistelrooy might be out of favour at Man Utd but would fergie really sell to Chelsea? Andri Shevchenko is an option, as is Atletico Madrid's wonderkid Fernando Torres. Most likely, and most suited, is Inter Milan's Adriano.

But don't be surprised if it isn't one of these big names. Someone could catch Mourinho's eye at the World Cup and find himself leading the Chelsea line next year.