Can Michy Batshuayi feature more for Chelsea in season 2017/18?

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has looked bright during pre-season so far

Chelsea and Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi has experienced a mixed couple of years. The 23-year-old arrived at Chelsea last summer from Marseille as one of Europe’s most promising strikers.

He joined the Blues in the hope of dislodging Spanish international Diego Costa as the Blues central striker.

Costa had just come off a poor campaign for Chelsea. Some naively may have thought that Batshuayi had a chance of regular first team football.

Instead, the young striker spent much of last season on the Blues bench, as Costa scored 20 times and become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League once more.

In fact, Batshuayi started just one Premier League game and made 19 appearances from the bench last season, in a highly frustrating campaign.

The Belgium international scored five times in the English top-flight, although four of those goals came in the last three league games of the season. One of the striker’s goals was crucial, as it helped the Blues to a 1-0 win at West Brom that clinched the title.

A chink of light

Diego Costa’s situation at Stamford Bridge will have given the striker hope that he could fill the gap left by the want away striker. However, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was always going to sign another high profile star to replace the Brazilian-born star.

Unfortunately, not many believed that Batshuayi was capable of filling the gaping hole left by Costa in the Blues attack. I am sure the striker believes in himself, but it would be understandable if the striker lost heart sitting on the Chelsea bench last season.

The recent signing of Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, although expected, must have been soul destroying for the striker. Morata is likely to start as the Blues first-choice striker for next season.

Rumours of the Belgian leaving the club have been rife in recent months. However, it seems unlikely that he will leave the champions this summer. No doubt, he has the potential to score goals in most Premier League teams. The striker was reportedly interesting both Everton and West Ham.

Batshuayi has impressed in preseason

Batshuayi has talented and still has a lot of potential to improve. At 23, he may well become a very good Premier League striker in the future. As Blues boss Conte has stated last season was the striker’s first in the English top-flight.

It is a hard league to adapt to for young players. However, his performances in preseason so far suggest that he is now more accustomed to life at Chelsea. The striker still has work to do to become a player considered good enough to lead the Chelsea attack, though.

However, Batshuayi seems like a player that will only get better with games. Maybe he is seen as a possible alternative to big money signing Morata next season. If he stays at Chelsea, he is far more likely to see game time, as he now looks slightly more equipped to deal with the rigours of the English top-flight.

Can be an asset for Chelsea’s title bid

It now seems there is no way back to for Costa at Chelsea, yet he is still at the club. Costa staying at the club this summer looks unlikely though.

It would be a turn up for the books for the Spanish international to be with the English champions when the summer transfer window slams shut in September.

If as expected the former Atletico Madrid striker does leave, then he will be difficult to replace. However, maybe a combination of Morata and Batshuayi may be enough to negate the loss of Costa.

Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the Premier League title next season at odds of 7/2. The Blues still possess a lot of quality. As I stated in one of my articles a few days ago I do believe that Morata can help replace Costa.

However, now that Batshuayi has a year of being at Chelsea under his belt, he could prove to be a big asset for the Blues in the race for the Premier League title.

Can Batshuayi feature more for Chelsea in season 2017/18?