In comparison to 2014/15 Premier League winning season, Chelsea have struggled in front of goal this time out.
The Blues – who had a remarkable goal difference of +41 in the previous campaign – fell short of that mark almost comically, finishing the season in 10th and with a meek goal difference of just +6.
While there shabby defence did have a major part to play, the truth is that Chelsea simply were not enough of a threat in front of goal. They ranked 7th for goals scored in Premier League, and did not score on a huge 8 occasions.
Had those statistics been drawn up at Christmas, Jose Mourinho’s then side would have had a goal difference of -6, and scored only 21 times. A poor showing for an attacking outfit that had won the league the previous season.
Improvements have been aplenty under Guus Hiddink but there is still plenty of room for more, and incoming manager Antonio Conte will certainly want to bring back the free scoring Chelsea of seasons previous.
Should Conte look to the transfer window, or should he make due with what he already has? Here is what our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern thinks would be the dream front three….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE DREAM CHELSEA FRONT THREE!
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Eden Hazard
Hazard failed to score a Premier League goal this campaign until Chelsea’s 4-1 away victory over Bournemouth on the 23rd April.
The Belgian playmaker scored two that afternoon, and kick started a fine run which saw his performances sky rocket and added another 2 goals – both brilliant efforts in draws against Tottenham and Liverpool – before the end of the season.
There is no denying it was a poor campaign for the 25-year-old, and had many expected Hazard to part ways with the club come the summer following his fall out with Jose Mourinho and lack of form.
The final 5 games saw the former Lille man return to his mesmeric best. Dazzling dribbles, jiving jinks and fine finishes – everything that had earned Hazard the PFA Player of the Season award last year seemed to return.
Antonio Conte would be barmy not to hang on to a player who – despite his struggles – is arguably still one of the best in world football.
Diego Costa
It is rumoured that Chelsea’s main target-man is keen on a move back to Spain this summer to be reunited with his old club Atletico Madrid.
Those rumours have intensified after Chelsea have been linked with a number of strikers across Europe, including Gonzalo Higuain and Romelu Lukaku.
Yes, Costa may have had a difficult – and incredibly controversial – season at the Bridge, however the big man still scored a fair return of 16 goals and was the stand out player for the club since the arrival of Guus Hiddink who seemed to rejuvenate the Brazilian born forward.
A favourite at Chelsea, there would be many a Blues fan who would be disgruntled if the Spain international were to move from Southwest London in the transfer window. Costa brings a fire to Chelsea like not many others can or will do.
Romelu Lukaku
With Willian a target for the Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande, as well as Ligue 1 Champion’s PSG, it looks increasingly likely the Blue’s will have to replace their play of the season this summer.
Chelsea have traditionally opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation or 4-3-3 over the years, utilising both wings. However, Antonio Conte may opt for a different solution and go for two up front as he has done at Juventus in the past, and leave Eden Hazard to fulfil the role of number 10.
Finding Diego Costa a strike partner is no easy feat, but the favourite for the position is £65m-rated Romelu Lukaku, who looks set for a return to Stamford Bridge after moving to Everton in 2014.
The Belgian striker has proved his doubters at Stamford Bridge wrong by leaving the club and scoring for fun at both West Brom and the Toffees, and now with a point to prove at the Blues, could return to become the player he had hoped to be the first time around.
