FUNNY STRIKING PROBLEM AT CHELSEA

This has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the loss against Arsenal on Saturday (even though I enjoyed it so much) or any of the losses experienced by Chelsea this season. They have scored goals and played some exquisite football since Sarri came in last summer. But the use of a false nine was always going to be an issue at some point this season…and I think we’ve reached that point.

The deal for Higuain is six months’ late, in my opinion, because he is not as motivated as he was when he got shunted out of Juventus for C. Ronaldo. Then, he had a point to prove to the suits in Turin. Now…after battling for form and confidence at the most ironic club in Italy (AC Milan: Great players…not so great results), he’s on the move…again…and not permanently…again. I fear the worst for him and Chelsea. Another Falcao Episode Loading.

Chelsea have strikers in the team…literally. However, the names Giroud and Morata hardly ooze confidence in anyone’s eyes, hence the use of Hazard to play the scoring role. It’s not the first time the little Belgian has had to take up the responsibility up front (he did that under Mourinho to some success) but a club that is challenging for top honours cannot rely on him to score the decisive goals every week.

It’s funny that a top club like Chelsea cannot find a good top striker to sign while CARDIFF managed to nail one of the top marksmen in Ligue 1 and Europe (Emiliano Sala). In fact, Chelsea have struggled to get a good striker since Conte sent that break-up text to Diego Costa; the last top striker that they had.

Against Arsenal, I felt Giroud’s introduction was simply because Sarri needed to TRY using a striker and there really wasn’t anyone else to put on. I don’t even think Giroud was put on to be a goal-threat; the coach probably had more faith in 17-Year-Old-Bayern-Yearning Hudson-Odoi. Morata is already on his way out so he wasn’t available…or even necessary.

Higuain is here as a short-term fix so that the club might sign….in the summer (I know right? Even I can’t guess). Fans will be hoping that Sarri can get him to score 36 goals again (lol…in which league?) but he’ll do well to hit 5…no…10 goals (before I run into trouble) before May. How this plays out will be interesting.

I feel that Chelsea would be closer to the top of the league table IF they signed a striker in August. Giroud should have been moved on to China/Australia/USA/ANYWHERE ELSE while Morata should been told, in clear terms, that he has 6 months to prove that he’s not a fraud. Minor adjustments and we would be talking about a 3-Horse race, rather than 2, by now.

It could still be a 3-horse race by the end of the season. A lot can happen between now and March, not to talk of May. Funny thing is…if Chelsea come close to winning the league and fail because of a few points or a few goals, there’s no way we’ll not be talking about the missed striking opportunity from last summer.

Later.

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