Chelsea Transfer News: Robert Lewandowski Revelation Made by Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he wanted to sign Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski during his time as Chelsea manager, saying he has always "followed" the player.

The former Real Madrid coach told Vittorio Campanile of Goal.com he "tracked" the talent during his time at Stamford Bridge while the striker plied his trade at the Westfalenstadion for Borussia Dortmund:

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He's a player that I have always followed, particularly in the first part of his career, when he was at Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski was being followed by many clubs, not just me. But even when I was at Chelsea, I was tracking him. Also, while I was at Madrid, but by then he was already going to Bayern, so it was too late.

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Frank Augstein/Associated Press

The Poland international thrived under coach Jurgen Klopp at BVB, developing from an unknown quantity into arguably the best striker in Europe. 

Chelsea have struggled to replace Didier Drogba since the icon's first exit from west London in 2012, with Lewandowski joining Dortmund in 2010, during Ancelotti's two-year tenure at the Bridge. 

The Polish star would surely have been a hit in the Premier League for the Blues, scoring 22 times in 34 Bundesliga matches for BVB in what was Ancelotti's final season in charge at Chelsea, according to WhoScored.com. 

Bleacher Report UK shared how the striker might have looked if Ancelotti had his way:

Lewandowski has gone from strength to strength since that time, with his goals-to-games ratio continuing to improve. 

The striker already has 15 goals to his name in the German league and European competition this year in only eight starts, per WhoScored. 

The Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst recently highlighted the difference between Wayne Rooney and Lewandowski's current exploits:

However, Lewandowski could soon find himself pitted against the Blues, with rumours he could be lined up for an emotional reunion with Klopp at Liverpool. 

Spanish sports website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro) believe the German coach is planning talks with the striker's agent in a bid to bring the striker to England, joining his Anfield revolution as he rebuilds the sleeping giants. 

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Ancelotti also commented on Lewandowski's chances of finishing as the Champions League's top scorer this year, rivalling Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the crown, per Campanile:

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He has the characteristics to finish as top scorer and he has the team to support him. He has a team around him that scores so many goals. 

The battle for top scorer will be fought by the usual suspects: Messi, when he returns from injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

But Lewandowski certainly has the quality to become the Champions League's top scorer this season. 

Indeed, the only way you can stop him scoring at the moment is by taking away the supply line, but it's not easy because Bayern play very offensive football and always have possession of the ball.

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Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

If Lewandowski does come on to the market and desires a move to England, there is little doubt Liverpool would face stern competition for the player's services from Chelsea and the Premier League's strongest clubs. 

Chelsea do need a world-class striker to supplement the goal return of Diego Costa, with the Spanish international's form seemingly affected by his over-aggressive personality on the pitch. 

Lewandowski would give coach Jose Mourinho the type of striker he needs, with Radamel Falcao not the player he once was and misfiring for the Premier League champions during his loan. 

The Blues' defence and midfield appear to have plenty of issues at present, but it is the lack of a predatory striker that has seen the club's goal count plummet and results turn sour.