Chelsea FC: Analysing Blues top transfer targets stats -analysis
Chelsea transfer target: Fernando Llorente
Swansea City’s big target man up front Fernando Llorente is a beast of a striker. Standing at around six-foot five inches he would tower over Diego Costa and probably even most center-backs.
Chelsea FC are lacking a target man after the inevitable departure of Diego Costa. While Alvaro Morata is looking a great striker for Chelsea, it seems he is not really a target man and is more comfortable making runs in between spaces.
So, if plan A doesn’t work with Morata and co, then Conte could go to plan B which would be to bring on a big target man akin to Diego Costa. Llorente, with his imposing physicality would draw defenders towards him, leaving space for Eden Hazard and Willian and co to do their thing.
Conte may even want to play two strikers up front with Morata playing off Llorente.
But I digress. Here are the important stats to know about.
First and foremost, he’s 32 years old. So not exactly a spring chicken but does his age stop him from scoring? No.
Llorente scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season. Not a bad return at all for someone who struggled to start for Swansea before Paul Clement came in and steadied the ship. Llorente’s goals saved Swansea from being relegated.
The Spaniard also won an average of 4.7 aerial duels per game. He can certainly win a long ball in the air making him a perfect target man for Chelsea’s David Luiz or Cesc Fabregas to ping the ball to. The Spaniard could then lay the ball off to Eden Hazard and co starting a fearsome attack.
Conte will need no introductions to the player after he managed the striker when he was at Juventus. Llorente scored 16 goals in the 2013/14 season helping Conte’s Juve to win their third consecutive Serie A.
And lastly, he’s Spanish. Chelsea FC have a fair few Spaniards in the team with Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata. Llorente would fit in straight away.
Next: Chelsea swoop for top West Ham target
In my opinion, these four players are the most likely to sign for Chelsea FC although the transfer window can often throw in some wildcards like David Luiz’s return to Chelsea last season. So nobody really knows until it’s done.