Antonio Conte’s Chelsea started their New Year with a loss at the White Hart Lane in a week where they could have opened an 8 point gap over Liverpool who took just a point from Sunderland. However, they stay 5 points clear of the Reds in the points table with 18 games to go and should get back to winning ways quickly to keep their place safe. With the January transfer window open, the manager will be looking to add a few players to his squad, especially to his attack, and has been linked with star players across Europe. However, one player who is now extensively linked with a move to the Bridge this January is Swansea’s inform striker Fernando Llorente. But there is a twist in the negotiation as the reports have claimed that both Chelsea and Swansea are reportedly in talks over a swap deal involving Michy Batshuayi and Fernando Llorente.
Diego Costa, the first choice striker for Chelsea this season, has been in fine form but young Michy Batshuayi is the only backup in the squad for the Spaniard and this has seen Conte look to Llorente, an old compatriot for some experience. Reports also suggest that Conte might loan out Batshuayi to get some game time, especially with Chelsea not active in Europe. On the outside, a swap of almost a decade of experience, in the second half of a season, when the club is firmly in the title race is a welcome one but there are a few things that need to be considered.
Costa will remain in the starting XI for Chelsea barring injuries and Llorente, if makes the move, will only be a backup. At 31, he is not an option for the long term and Conte will yet again have to spend big in the summer if his side is to compete with the best in Europe. The Swansea man is more than a decent option in front of goal and having spent some time under Conte at Juventus, he will be accustomed to the methods at the Bridge. But he cannot be the first choice striker for Chelsea in Costa’s absence and can only be effectively used from the bench.
Chelsea needs a man who can compete with Costa for a place in the first team, thus improving the whole squad but Llorente is not such an option. But till the end of the season, he is more than a decent option for Conte, to offer his services when required and also to give Costa a rest when needed.
On the other hand, Batshuayi’s loan deal makes much more sense as the Belgian is hardly in the plans of the manager for the premier league. The youngster got his chances in the domestic games to prove himself but Conte has not been impressed enough with him to use him regularly in the Premier League. So there is no sense in him hanging around at the club waiting for his time. He is better off with a move to West Ham, or another club struggling in front of goal, and with lesser expectations, where he can take his time to get used to the conditions in England and can return to Chelsea as a better option.
The Italian manager will have to spend on a striker at least on loan this January as Chelsea are a bit short of attacking options in crunch games. Llorente is a decent option but Conte will have to weigh up all his options before making a move for the Swansea City man.
Do you think letting Batshuayi go on loan and getting Fernando Llorente to the Bridge is the right way to go for the Blues this January?