With a two-transfer window ban still looming, Chelsea will need all the help they can get next season, especially on the attack.
As Michy Batshuayi‘s loan spell comes to a close with Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson has voiced that he’s very interested in bringing back the Belgian for next year’s campaign. However, in order for that to be the case, an agreement would have to be met between Palace and Chelsea. As much as Batshuayi helped the Eagles steer clear of relegation territory this season with five Premier League goals, it would be the logical decision for the Blues to finally give him his chance at Stamford Bridge.
With Eden Hazard looking like he’s on his way out of North London after the Europa League final, Chelsea is going to need all the help they can get on their frontline. Gonzalo Higuain has been downright disappointing since his arrival, so chances are they won’t extend his loan spell.
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Batshuayi has been the property of Chelsea since 2016 but has never really gotten a respectable chance at first-team football. He’s spent time on loan spells with Dortmund, Valencia, and most recently, Crystal Palace. In Spain he did struggle, but in Dortmund and at Selhurst Park, he really impressed.
The 25-year old finally deserves his opportunity to be a first-team regular with Chelsea.
He’s proved himself
It’s no secret that Chelsea lacks consistent goal-scorers. They have a tough time finding the net on a weekly basis and are quite lucky they have slipped into a Champions League spot for next year. With Hazard set to leave as well, their only relatively consistent scorer will now leave the club. As they continue to protest their transfer ban, it’s looking more and more like they won’t be able to sign any players. This is a huge problem, but they have some quality attackers who have been on loan.
Batshuayi is the first name that comes to mind. He has starred for Belgium on the international level while putting together an impressive end to last year’s campaign with Borussia Dortmund, where he bagged seven goals in just ten appearances in the Bundesliga. His spell at Valencia earlier this year was dismal, but once he came back to England, The Blues loanee did quite well under Roy Hodgson. He has an eye for net and tons of skill in the final third. His quickness and ability find space have made him a quality striker over the last couple of years.
He has really developed into a better player since leaving Chelsea on loan in January of 2018. The experience that Batshuayi has gained by playing in three of the top leagues in Europe has really paid off for the Belgian international.
Even if Batshuayi ends up back at Chelsea only because they can’t sign more players, it’s a chance for him to really prove what he can do so he can become a starter with this club. They spent a lot of money to sign him from Marseille back in 2016, yet he has only made 32 appearances in a blues uniform since.
Along with fellow loanee Tammy Abraham, who has been lighting up the Championship this term with Aston Villa, Chelsea has two deadly strikers who they must bring back to the club for next season if they want to be a contender at the top of the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace is very eager to make Batshuayi’s loan deal permanent, but Chelsea must not let this happen because they really need him next season as they will need one or even two replacements for Eden Hazard.
The Blues are going to have to give their youngsters the opportunities to show what they can do. With Batshuayi, Abraham, and Callum Hudson-Odoi all available up top for Chelsea, they will be in good hands with three electric strikers who can all do damage in front of net.
It will be interesting to see what Chelsea does with Michy Batshuayi.