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Chelsea could swap Michy Batshuayi for West Ham star

By Christopher Godfrey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea during the EFL Cup match between Chelsea and Bristol Rovers at Stamford Bridge on August 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea during the EFL Cup match between Chelsea and Bristol Rovers at Stamford Bridge on August 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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 Chelsea’s £33m striker Michy Batshuayi has struggled for game time this season and could be used in a swap deal with Michail Antonio this summer.

Antonio Conte clearly doesn’t trust the Belgian forward and Batshuayi didn’t even play any minutes in their recent FA Cup win over Wolves.  Meanwhile, West Ham’s s Michail Antonio is having an impressive season, and unsurprisingly, Chelsea are being linked with making a move for him.

Chelsea could sign West Ham’s Michail Antonio in a possible swap deal involving Batshuayi.

The Blues will be encouraged with the recent news that the English-born player has refused to pledge his future with West Ham.

"‘Right now, nothing is really happening on the contract talks,’‘We’ll just see how things go. At the moment my head is not being swayed in any way. I just want to play my football and whatever happens happens.’"

Talking to SkySports, when asked whether he would sign a new contract with West Ham he replied with ‘we’ll see’.

The versatile 26-year-old forward has scored eight goals and made five assists playing as a full-back, a winger and even a striker for the Hammers this season.

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While West Ham are also interested in Chelsea’s Batshuayi as they lack a star striker. Although Andy Carroll has recently hit some form, it’s clear he’s not their long-term man to produce goals. Batshuayi, at 23, has a lot of potential, and is a proven goal scorer in the Ligue 1 scoring 17 goals in 36 appearances in the 2015/16 season. Although he has barely featured for Chelsea, he has produced goals when he has played.

Chelsea were linked with Swansea’s Fernando Llorente in the recent transfer window which led to rumours involving Batshuayi. But it was reported that Batshuayi preferred a move to West Ham instead.

Chelsea are lacking in depth in the striker department and while Michail Antonio may not a striker per-se, he would provide cover.

So, Chelsea could use Batshuayi in a swap-deal with Michail Antonio. For me, it seems like a win-win situation for both clubs. West Ham get a young, talented striker that can score goals. While Chelsea will acquire a talented and versatile goal-scorer.

Antonio is listed on transfermarkt as being worth €13m while Chelsea’s Batshuayi is worth €25m.  So West Ham may need to add around €10m at-least to the deal.

The West Ham star would be a perfect wing-back in Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation. His strength and talent going forward would provide competition for Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso.

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Chelsea’s Antonio Conte clearly does not trust Batshuayi given that he can’t even get minutes in a FA Cup game. While the player himself surely wouldn’t be happy sitting on the bench at Chelsea. So Chelsea could use Michy Batshuayi in order to bring one of England’s top talents to the bridge.

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