Chelsea are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Karim Benzema or Roberto Firmino on loan in a bid to address their goalscoring struggles.
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Chelsea eye SPL for striking solution Benzema unlikely to move but Firmino and Mitrovic options Owners Clearlake have link with SPL ownership group Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
With the Blues' summer signings yet to fire this term, the club are reportedly looking to the Saudi Pro League for a temporary solution. But while the prospect of seeing Benzema at Stamford Bridge is one that will get Chelsea fans excited, the former Real Madrid man is deemed too important to the Pro League project to be released from Al-Ittihad.
More realistic candidates are Firmino, who has struggled to settle at Al-Ahli, and, intriguingly, Aleksandar Mitrovic who remains a fan favourite at West London rivals Fulham.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea's goalscoring return has improved in comparison to last term but the Blues still struggle to make the most of the possession and chances that they create. While owners Clearlake have focussed on bringing in youth in their transfer dealing so far, their relationship with Saudi investment group PIF — who own four of the SPL's top clubs — may pave the way for a veteran forward to bring some battle-hardened experience to the Chelsea forward line.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
While Chelsea have a rich history of free-scoring strikers and midfielders the only player to hit 20 Premier League goals for the club in the last 13 seasons is Diego Costa who hit the mark in 2014/15 and again in 2016/17.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Pochettino has plenty of time on the training ground to see if he can get his current crop of forward to click. Chelsea are not back in action until next Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough.