Chelsea FC are being linked with a move for Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy as the champions look for more recruits before the transfer window shuts.
Chelsea FC are eager to add Jamie Vardy to their line-up given that he’s English and would fill the homegrown quota.
Vardy, 30, would also be a great forward to partner new signing Alvaro Morata with his pace and directness.
While current back-up striker Michy Batshuayi has failed to impress in recent games and does not look ready to be a first choice or even second choice striker for the Blues. He has been linked with a move to Lille in recent reports but it looks likely he will snub their offer in favor of fighting for a place at Chelsea.
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A swap deal with Michy Batshuayi going to Leicester and Vardy to Chelsea is possible and makes sense. The Belgian striker has failed to make the grade at Stamford Bridge and while he may have scored the title-winning goal last season for the Blues, he does not look up to the task to lead from the front.
Blues coach Antonio Conte would love Vardy as he’s fast, clinical and makes intelligent runs. He suits Chelsea’s counter-attacking style of play when they face big opponents , and in which case, Vardy would thrive. Vardy is at his best when he plays in a counter-attacking system as shown by his dismal drop in form and goals when Leicester decided to play a more possession type game last season before Ranieri’s sacking.
Batshuayi doesn’t seem to have any style locked on. He’s not a hold-up player like Diego Costa where he could trap the ball, and use his strength to lay it off to teammates. While he’s also not a fast counter-attacker either.
Vardy, on the other hand, has scored 64 goals in 169 appearances for the Foxes since joining them in 2012.
If Vardy wants to join the champions and play in the Champions League then moving to the Blues makes sense. If he pushes for a move, then it would not take too much for the largely inept Chelsea board to persuade Leicester to let Vardy go to Stamford Bridge.
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Although there could be some disagreements with how much each player is really worth. Batshuayi, at 23-years old, has a lot of potential and arrived at Chelsea for £33m, and while his value might not have risen much after an unspectacular season, he still looks like a future star.
Vardy, on the other hand is 30 years-old but would likely be valued at around or just under Batshuayi’s price.
If Leicester want to sign a future star for years to come, then they’d be wise to let Vardy go to the Blues. Chelsea would get a Premier League title-winning striker with a proven track record of scoring goals.
Meanwhile, Chelsea FC manager Antonio Conte, is reportedly not happy with the Chelsea board even after signing Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Willy Caballero for around £140 million.
This is due to the fact that the Blues have let so many young players go and have failed to get Conte’s main targets in Romelu Lukaku and Alex Sandro.
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The board would be wise to get their feisty Italian manager a proven goal scorer to brighten his and the teams mood. And even though Chelsea have just beaten Spurs, it’s obvious to most that Chelsea need reinforcements as the squad is looking thin.
So adding Jamie Vardy to the team is a great idea and even if letting Michy Batshuayi go is the only option to get him, then the Blues would be wise to make it happen.