Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Andre Schurrle and Mattia Destro

Andre Schurrle's search for first-team football could see him leave Chelsea in the January window, with some of the Premier League's biggest names reportedly keen on taking the 24-year-old forward off manager Jose Mourinho's hands.

Pool/Getty Images

That's according to Anthony Chapman of the Express, who claims that Mourinho is fast running out of patience with Schurrle after a frustrating start to the Premier League season. Chapman goes on to say that the Premier League pair of Liverpool and Tottenham—as well as Borussia Dortmund—would be keen on adding the former Bayer Leverkusen man to their ranks.

The German was expected to play a much more prominent role for the Blues this season after enjoying a prosperous World Cup campaign. Schurrle made some vital contributions for his country on their way to glory out in Brazil, just as he did during the latter stages for Chelsea at the end of the 2013/14 season.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

But with myriad players capable of filling the offensive positions for the Stamford Bridge outfit, Schurrle has found himself on the periphery of the Chelsea first team. He's made just four starts in the Premier League this season, per WhoScored.com.

Nonetheless, earlier in the week, German football expert Raphael Honigstein insisted that the player still has a future at Stamford Bridge, per Omar Hamouda of Squawka:

"

I think it's almost a good sign that Mourinho keeps talking about him, saying he needs to play better, because as long as Mourinho says these things about you, you think you have a good chance.

Remember how he always used to criticise Eden Hazard? I think it's when it goes very quiet, that's when you know you're on your way out.

"

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

For Chelsea, Schurrle is a useful option to have in the squad and one that should fit the requisite demands that Mourinho places on his players. Not only is he a skilful and versatile forward, but he’s a diligent worker, too. He may not have shown it in earnest for Chelsea yet, either, but he's also an excellent finisher.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

With the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar vying for starting spots in the attacking midfield positions, Schurrle faces a real fight to earn his spot in this Chelsea first team. But to sell him in January—especially to a fellow Premier League club—would surely be somewhat premature on the part of the Blues. 

If he was to be deemed as surplus to requirements by Mourinho, then some of European football's big names would surely be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as a potential replacement. But one player who could potentially fill the void is AS Roma's Mattia Destro, a young, industrious and skilful forward player.

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Chelsea were linked with the 23-year-old before drafting in Loic Remy in the summer window, per Matt Law of The Telegraph, and the Roma man has been frank in addressing rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal being touted as a potential destination this time round, per Tuttosport (h/t Ewan Roberts of Goal.com):

"

Arsenal for me? The rumours are good, I'm happy for them. This is the proof that I'm doing my work well. There are so many things that I can improve on. I must never stop and continue to learn new things.

"

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Not too dissimilar to Schurrle, Destro is an adaptable, hard-working player who's capable of shining anywhere across the front line. And like the German, he's also struggling to make a sustained impression at his current club, with manager Rudi Garcia typically opting for a front three of Francesco Totti, Gervinho and Juan Iturbe.

Nonetheless, the Italian's stock remains high. Here's a look at why clubs of the stature of Chelsea and Arsenal have reportedly been looking at the forward:

When he has featured, he's been typically prolific, having netted four times in his 510 minutes of domestic football. James Horncastle of BT Sport paid tribute to his instinctive finishing ability earlier in the season:

You suspect the Giallorossi will be looking to use Destro more and more as the season runs on, but if a team like Chelsea do come in for him, there's little doubt that he'd give serious consideration to a move to English football's top flight.

But at Chelsea, would he see many more minutes than he's currently getting at Roma? While he's a versatile player, the Italian prefers to play as a centre-forward. With Diego Costa, Remy and Didier Drogba in situ—not to mention Mourinho's patent for playing with a sole striker—then first-team opportunities in his best position would be slim pickings.

Destro is an exciting prospect who has yet to realise his full potential given some unfortunate injuries and poor lapses of judgement. At this juncture, he needs game time, and at Stamford Bridge, he simply wouldn't be afforded that luxury.