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Neville slams Chelsea’s ‘desperate,’ striker search

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has slammed Chelsea’s search for a target-man striker.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast he said:

“Chelsea seem to be hell-bent on getting anybody that’s over 6ft 3in and a target man,”

“There is no doubt that Conte likes a target man. Graziano Pelle was a big favourite of Conte’s when he was in charge of Italy so he does like someone up front who is a presence. But, are they really that desperate to have somebody for the last three months of the season?

“I don’t see it personally. I think Chelsea are having a good season

“People will say they are not reaching the heights of last season but my view would be that for managers at Chelsea, the season post winning the title is not easy and Conte is doing very well this season to keep the team and the momentum going.

“So I’m not quite sure why they are so hell-bent on getting a big striker. I know Conte does like a target man but I’m not sure why they are so desperate.

“It just seems a little random. Everybody on social media, in particular, feels it’s a little bit random.”

Neville certainly has a point, and some of the names that the Stamford Bridge club have been linked with recently have been somewhat bizarre.

If somebody had of asked which Premier League manager has been linked with Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes this month, most people would probably reply Sam Allardyche and not Antonio Conte.

The clubs search for a target-man, also seems to be at odds with what one of their star players Eden Hazard has had to say recently, with the Belgium international stating that he does not believe his side need to sign a striker.

Reports did emerge earlier today that Chelsea were edging closer to a deal to sign former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko from Roma, although that move has hit a snag over wages and the players concerns over a lack of guarantees for first-team football.