BLUE PETER

Chelsea want a BIG man... and they don’t come any bigger than 36-year-old-Stoke forward Crouch

PETER CROUCH has emerged as a sensational new target for Chelsea.

The Stoke striker, 36, signed a new one-year deal at the Potteries club earlier this month.

But the 6ft 7ins star is now being considered by the champions as they search for a tall forward to replace Michy Batshuayi.

Belgian international Batshuayi is on his way out of Stamford Bridge and Blues boss Antonio Conte (right) had set his sights on Andy Carroll, 29.

But the West Ham striker is

devastated after being ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury. Chelsea were beaten to Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, 32, last summer while Crystal Palace Christian Benteke (above) is another on their shortlist. Crouch has made 186 appearances for the Potters and netted 49 goals in all competitions, including five this season. After Crouch signed his new deal earlier this month, Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Peter still has a great deal to offer us as a player and we are pleased he has decided to extend his stay with us.” Mirror Sport exclusively revealed yesterday that Carroll (below) had complained to the Hammers that he was unable to train because of soreness in his ankle. Initial scans taken by the club, however, failed to show a problem. Another more detailed scan on yesterday finally showed up the issue with the damage thought to have been even worse than first feared. Carroll is understood to be “shell-shocked” at the news – the latest blow in a career ravaged by injury.