Chelsea turn focus towards signing winger to ease injury problems
MAURIZIO SARRI has revealed he may have to add a winger to Chelsea’s January transfer wish-list, but has defended his use of Bayern Munich target Callum HudsonOdoi.
Chelsea have been working on trying to sign a striker in this month, but injuries to Pedro, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi have left Sarri worried about his options on the flanks. The club are in talks over the recruitment of Christian Pulisic, who can play on either wing, but Borussia Dortmund have so far been adamant the USA international will not move this month.
Lyon’s Nabil Fekir is another winger in whom Chelsea have shown an interest and Sarri considers that position to be more of a concern than his strikers.
Despite Olivier Giroud suffering an ankle injury against Crystal Palace, Sarri ruled out recalling loanees Michy Batshuayi or Tammy Abraham to his squad. Asked if he was thinking about either Batshuayi or Abraham, who has been in prolific form for Aston Villa,
Sarri said: “No, because I have the option with (Eden) Hazard in this position. We have (Alvaro) Morata and Hazard, who can play very well in this position. So I think that I don’t need another striker. Maybe another winger.”
It is believed Chelsea will consider loaning out Morata if they can bring in a new striker, and discussions have taken place regarding Gonzalo Higuain, who is on loan at AC Milan from Juventus. Sarri was booed for substituting Hudson-Odoi in the Stephen’s Day victory over Watford, although it transpired the 18-yearold had felt pain in his hamstring.
Hudson-Odoi has only 18 months left on his Chelsea contract and has refused a new deal while he waits for first-team chances. That has sparked interest from clubs across Europe, with Bayern indicating a willingness to pay £20 million for him. But Sarri believes HudsonOdoi, who has made five first-team appearances this season, should be content with his progress.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s Premier League game against Southampton, Sarri said: “In Europe, there are few 18-yearold players with matches at this level. He is a very good player, with the potential for becoming a great player. With the ball, he is very good. He has to improve in movement without the ball.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)