MX23RW : Wednesday, January 8 04:52:49| >> :120:16832:16832:

Gary Neville questions Chelsea's "desperate" striker search

Neville: Chelsea getting
© Offside
Manchester United legend Gary Neville says that he is "not quite sure" why champions Chelsea are so "desperate" to sign a tall striker.

Gary Neville has admitted that he is bemused by Chelsea's "desperate" search for a targetman after reportedly making enquiries for a number of players.

Blues boss Antonio Conte seemingly wants a tall striker to lead his line after so far making do with Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi this term.

Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch both emerged as surprise targets for the English champions, while Ashley Barnes and Fernando Llorente have also been linked.

According to reports in the British press, 6ft 4in Roma striker Edin Dzeko is now at the top of Conte's wishlist, but Neville believes that Chelsea are better off sticking with what they have.

"Chelsea seem to be hell-bent on getting anybody that's over 6ft 3in and a target man," he told the Gary Neville Podcast. "There is no doubt that Conte likes a target man. Graziano Pelle was a big favourite of Conte's when he was in charge of Italy so he does like someone up front who is a presence.

"But, are they really that desperate to have somebody for the last three months of the season? I don't see it personally. I think Chelsea are having a good season.

"People will say they are not reaching the heights of last season but my view would be that for managers at Chelsea, the season post winning the title is not easy and Conte is doing very well this season to keep the team and the momentum going.

"So I'm not quite sure why they are so hell-bent on getting a big striker. I know Conte does like a target man but I'm not sure why they are so desperate."

Chelsea are also looking to strengthen elsewhere, with Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri understood to be on the brink of joining.

ID:316834: cacheID:316834:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3550:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Eden Hazard in action during the Premier League game between West Ham United and Chelsea on December 9, 2017
Read Next:
Hazard: 'Chelsea do not need a striker'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!