Stan Collymore suggested Chelsea to sign either Danny Ings or Ollie Watkins. (imago Images)
According to Birmingham Mail, Former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore had advised Chelsea to consider signing Ollie Watkins or Danny Ings to boost up their options in the number nine position.
Collymore, who has played for Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Villa and others, made this suggestion back in April. So, his advice was made keeping in mind that a summer transfer window is coming up.
We are done with the transfer window now, with Chelsea signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day to fill up their vacant number nine slot while giving an extended contract to young striker Armando Broja.
Here’s what Collymore suggested (h/t Birmingham Mail):
“They should be looking for a 22-year-old or 23-year-old somewhere in Europe. If not, then maybe Watkins, or even his Villa strike partner Ings, if they’re happy to go older. Because that kind of player would score 20 to 25 goals in that team and those goals would take Chelsea a big, big step closer to what they want to achieve.”
Ings arrived at Aston Villa last summer from Southampton and has struggled for regular game time as a starter with Watkins starting as a lone striker up top. Especially under Steven Gerrard who arrived as the manager in the middle of last season, Villa mostly plays with one up top.
The former Liverpool and Burnley striker is 30 now and should not be in Chelsea’s plans due to his injury history and not having much experience in top-level European football.
Watkins, on the other hand, signed for the Villans in 2020 and has had two decent seasons up front. He has scored 26 goals in 79 league appearances for the west Midlands club – a good return for a striker who doesn’t always get good quality service. Imagine what he could do with a good supply line.
That is what Collymore was referring to. Though Watkins also doesn’t have experience playing at the very top level, he is 26 and is entering his peak as a striker. If the service is right, he can score goals and can press from the front without the ball.
It would be interesting to know what Chelsea’s plans are regarding adding more quality to their centre-forward department. Aubameyang at 33 cannot be a long-term solution.
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