Chelsea Transfer Rumours: 7 Strikers the Blues Should Pursue to Pair with Torres
The mystery of Fernando Torres' poor start to his Chelsea career will undoubtedly remain at Stamford Bridge until the new season begins. Just one goal in his eighteen appearances for the Blues will certainly have worried owner Roman Abramovich, who spent £50 million on the striker in the January transfer window.
Questions have been raised over whether Torres is able to play effectively with Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba, who won the Premier League Golden Boot in Chelsea's double-winning 2009/10 season, as well as French forward Nicolas Anelka.
The trio have managed just 4 league goals between them since Torres' arrival, and with Drogba and Anelka both rumoured to be on their way out of West London in a major reshuffle, Chelsea may be in the market for a new striker this summer.
Here are seven forwards that I think would be fine partners for Chelsea's number 9.
1. Sergio Aguero
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With 20 league goals to his name, Aguero has had his most prolific season yet.
He has been the perfect partner for Diego Forlan at Atletico because of his willingness and ability to play as the deeper forward in the front two, a similar position to that of Steven Gerrard behind Fernando Torres whilst the Spaniard was scoring for fun at Anfield in the 2008/09 season. If Drogba and Anelka are to leave, Aguero may be the first-choice replacement.
The Argentine forward has requested to leave the Vicente Calderon this summer in favour of a move to a bigger club. With Atletico unlikely to be able to hold onto him for much longer, Chelsea should make their move before other major clubs become involved.
2. Neymar
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At just 19 years of age, Neymar is one of the hottest talents in world football and has a fantastic goal-scoring record at his current club Santos, the team that Pele spent the majority of his illustrious career. Neymar has also scored 3 goals in 3 games for Brazil, including 2 in a friendly against Scotland at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea are one of a number of European giants said to be pursuing the the forward, however his agent has recently stated that that the Brazilian would prefer to stay at Santos. Could the lure of the Premier League and higher wages prove too much for him though?
3. Romelu Lukaku
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Lukaku only turned 18 in May, however his 6 foot 3 inch frame suggests that he is more than ready for the physical challenge of the Premier League.
The Belgian forward has scored an impressive 39 goals in 94 games for his current club Anderlecht, and he finished as top scorer in the Belgian First Division (the top league) at the age of just 16.
Chelsea are rumoured to be close to signing Lukaku for a fee in the region of £20 million. He may not be ready to start every game straight away, but the powerhouse could be a partner for Fernando Torres in years to come.
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4. David Villa
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Who better? Villa has a fantastic scoring record at both club and international level and curled in a fabulous strike to complete Barcelona's 3-1 win against Manchester United in the Champions League Final in May.
His partnership with Fernando Torres in the Spanish national team has been a crucial part in the side's Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 victories. Although Torres didn't score in the latter due to his lack of full fitness, Villa was the tournament's joint top scorer with 5 goals and also won the golden boot in Euro 2008. Both players were in that competition's Team of the Tournament after their formidable performances.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, it is unlikely that Villa would want to leave Barcelona as they continue to dominate European football, although there have been rumours that the Catalan club are on the verge of signing Villareal forward Giuseppe Rossi, which may bring question marks about Villa's future.
If the opportunity to buy a player of Villa's calibre did come around, Abramovich would surely waste no time in taking it.
5. Karim Benzema
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Still only 23 years of age, Benzema has a proven goalscoring record in his time at both Lyon and current club, Real Madrid.
The striker didn't enjoy the best season at Real Madrid in 2009-10 after his £30 million fee, but he has become more involved since former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho joined the club, scoring 26 goals total last term.
However, Real Madrid are one of the clubs rumoured to be interested in Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero, and if they sign the Argentine, Benzema is likely to be facing even more games on the bench.
Arsenal are already said to be interested in the Frenchman, so if he does become available, Abramovich may have to make an offer sooner rather than later.
6) Gonzalo Higuain
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Another striker who could fall out of favour if Real Madrid sign Sergio Aguero, Higuain is also 23 years old and boasts an arguably better scoring record than Benzema.
His career highlights include a hat-trick for Argentina against South Korea in last summer's World Cup, and he is capable of playing behind the main striker if necessary, which could be effective with Fernando Torres.
Higuain's 2010-11 season was hampered by injury problems, and he may not get many more games in the next one with already intense competition for places at the Bernabeu likely to grow over the summer.
In my opinion, he would be the kind of player fans at Stamford Bridge would love to see, so if he becomes frustrated at the lack of first-team starts he should be considered as a real possibility.
7. Kaka
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Although not an out-and-out striker, Kaka has the ability to play in the gap between the midfield and attack, similar to the role played by Gerrard with Torres at Liverpool.
The former Ballon d'Or winner was once the most expensive player in world football after his move from AC Milan to Real Madrid in 2009, however his career at the Bernabeu has never really got going due to a long-term knee problem.
Players like Mesut Ozil are making it increasingly difficult for Kaka to get a prolonged run of games in the first team despite recovering from his injury, and there has been much speculation that he will move to England this summer.
Two goals in a recent 6-3 win over Valencia have showed that Kaka still has the ability at 29 years of age, and if Real Madrid are prepared to sell the Brazilian, then I believe Chelsea should sign him as the creative spark to provide Fernando Torres with the service that he needs.
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