Lampard looks to bolster Chelsea strikeforce with Champ hitman

Nestor Watach

Brentford’s Ollie Watkins is the latest striker to be linked with a January move to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Krzystof Piatek and Edinson Cavani.

The Daily Star report that the Bees striker, who is joint top of the Championship goalscoring charts with 18 goals, is on Chelsea’s radar.

Watkins has made the step up this season since being moved from the wide areas to a centre-forward role, more than adequately replacing last season’s top scorer Neal Maupay.

Blues boss Frank Lampard has made no secret of his desire to bring in attacking reinforcements following a series of frustrating results.

“The impetus to bring in a striker or players who can get on the end of the chances we’re creating is there,” he told the media after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

“We had more than 20 shots in both games against Arsenal and Newcastle so we have to find solutions. We’ve lost points because of these situations.”

The report suggests that the forward is a “long-term target”, meaning this could be one to revisit in the summer if it doesn’t progress before the January transfer deadline passes.

Lampard has shown a willingness to work with younger players that have impressed in the second-tier, giving Fikayo Tomori, Reece James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham regular minutes this season after each of them impressed out on loan in the Championship last season.
Tomori and Mount worked under Lampard at Derby County, while Abraham’s goals helped fire Aston Villa to promotion and Reece James was a pivotal figure in Wigan’s successful fight against relegation.

Of the players playing outside of the top flight this season, 24-year-old Watkins is one of the most eye-catching talents.

He’s formed an impressive front three with Said Benrahma and Bryan Mbuemo, as Brentford chase Leeds and West Brom for the automatic promotion positions. They’re currently fifth, five points behind second-place Leeds.