Chelsea have been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ollie Watkins. The Daily Star has reported that the Blues are keeping tabs on the striker’s situation at the Championship club and are considering a move. It could prove to be a good move, but Lampard should consider pursuing other targets.
The 24-year-old has scored 18 goals in 27 games for Brentford this season and is one of the league’s deadliest strikers. He is the top scorer in the Championship and his goals have propelled the Bees to an impressive fifth-place standing.
Lampard’s Chelsea side need attacking reinforcements. Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud are deemed surplus to requirements, despite the former scoring against Hull City on Saturday evening in a 2-1 win. Tammy Abraham is exceeding in leading the line at Stamford Bridge, but cannot be expected to do it all.
Chelsea’s current number nine is proof that the step up from the Championship is one that can be done with great success. Abraham scored 25 goals last season for Aston Villa and Watkins is well on his way to reaching that mark.
However, he is two years older and a move from Brentford in the middle of the season to a Champions League club would be an unheard-of step up. The Bees have reportedly set his price tag at £25m (Sky Sports), which would be an expensive risk.
Although Abraham did it with ease, the step-up to the Premier League is one that plenty of strikers struggle with. Watkins could easily prove to be another one of those. The Blues would be better off pursuing other targets that have proven pedigree at the top level.
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