9 months ago
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Chelsea need a reliable goalscorer and an answer could soon be on the way as the January transfer window continue..
Nicolas Jackson is struggling for goals and Armando Broja reportedly available for transfer.
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And WhoScored.com have picked out five forwards Chelsea could target this month to lead the line in the second half of the season.
Viktor Gyokeres - Sporting CP
While Chelsea have moved to deny reports they have lodged a substantial bid for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, interest in the Swede's services shouldn't come as a surprise. A return of 13 goals and eight assists has helped the 25-year-old return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.91 this season, that the best in Liga Portugal.
However there is more to Gyokeres' game than just goals, which is why Chelsea have been credited with an interest in the Sweden international.
This is not only clear by the number of assists he has registered in Portugal's top tier, but in the number of dribbles Gyokeres has completed (39); only Rafik Guitane (58) ranks higher. With the experience of playing as the lone frontman, the former Coventry forward would be a great fit for Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea.
The Argentine favours a 4-2-3-1 setup and a striker who can not only put the ball in the back of the net but hold up possession and brings others into play is desirable. Sporting will only sell is interested parties trigger his £86million release clause but his age and playing style means he could prove the perfect frontman for Pochettino's Chelsea.
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Artem Dovbyk - Girona
Artem Dovbyk only moved to Girona over the summer, joining for a club-record €7m (£6m) from Dnipro-1. In his debut campaign in one of Europe's top leagues, the 26-year-old has taken to LaLiga like a duck to water.
Dovbyk has been directly involved in more goals (19 - 14 goals, 5 assists) than any other player in Spain's top tier following his six-minute hat-trick in Sunday's 5-1 mauling of Sevilla and has tops the scoring chart alongside Jude Bellingham.
The Ukraine international is spearheading Girona's unlikely title charge and his exploits in front of goal have not gone unnoticed. For a Girona side that uses a lone frontman, Dovbyk has excelled in the role for Michel Sanchez's side.
One key pass per 90 highlights the creative side to Dovbyk's game, which is vital for a sole striker spearheading the charge for his team.
Girona stand to make a healthy profit when the time comes to sell Dovbyk, which may come sooner than many at the club expected.
Chelsea are supposedly keeping tabs on the Ukrainian forward, though to splash the cash on a striker as inexperienced in one of Europe's biggest leagues would prove a risk.
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Benjamin Sesko - RB Leipzig
When Benjamin Sesko's move to RB Leipzig from Austrian side Salzburg, many expected the 20-year-old to take the Bundesliga by storm. However, few could have foreseen Lois Openda making the move from Lens to Germany last summer, let alone having such a significant impact for his new employers.
Openda has scored 12 goals and provided four assists for Marco Rose's side this season. As such, Sesko has been forced to watch on from the sidelines, with just five of his 15 league appearances coming from the outset. Three goals in just 489 minutes of game time isn't to be scoffed at given the lack playing time to strike up an understanding with his teammates.
While making a huge move for Sesko this month is a risk, at his age there is plenty more to come from the Slovenia international. In addition, Sesko is rumoured to have a release clause of £42m in his RB Leipzig contract, which can be activated this summer.
The powerhouse striker is tipped to take the world by storm but Chelsea would be foolish to come calling for the Slovenian this month when they can sign the youngster for below market value in the off-season.
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Roberto Firmino - Al Ahli
In such a difficult transfer window to negotiate big money deals, a short-term addition may prove the perfect solution for Chelsea. Following Jordan Henderson's departure from Al Ettifaq, others unhappy in Saudi Arabia may seek to cut ties with their respective sides sooner rather than later.
One of those is Roberto Firmino, who has struggled with Al Ahli following his arrival on a free transfer over the summer. The Brazilian bagged a hat-trick on his debut yet has failed to score since, a 16-game barren run that is unlikely to end anytime soon given he has since lost his place in the starting XI.
Firmino was never the most prolific frontman during his time in the Premier League yet his willingness to drop deep and brings others into play would benefit the fast attackers in Pochettino's system.
The 32-year-old's hard work off the ball would also suit the Argentine with Chelsea having won possession in the attacking third more times (137) than any other team in the Premier League this season.
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Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad
Another who secured a high profile move to Saudi Arabia over the summer, Karim Benzema has settled far better than Firmino following his move to Al Ittihad.
The Frenchman has hit the back of the net 15 times in 24 competitive outings for the Saudi outfit, though rumours of his future in the Middle East continue to circulate.
Benzema was supposedly left out of Al Ittihad's mid-season training camp in Dubai, reports the Frenchman's camp refutes but a short-term return to Europe would certainly appeal to the Blues.
The experienced Benzema would benefit the west London side's youthful frontline and provide a short-term solution to a long-term problem that can be properly addressed in the summer.
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