What is going on at Chelsea?

Something strange is definitely happening at reigning Premier League champions, Chelsea. First, there was talk of the Blues signing West Ham striker Andy Carroll. Now reports suggest that Chelsea are set to make a move for Stoke striker Peter Crouch.

Now you are reading that right. I nearly choked on my coffee when I read that. The 36-year-old comes across as a great guy and no doubt has had a decent football career. I have heard of Chelsea pensioners, but that is just ridiculous. They are not supposed to be playing!

Surely a club of Chelsea’s profile and means can sign a better player than Crouch. If they cannot or will not then there is something wrong.

Antonio Conte does not seem happy

There have been rumours coming out of Chelsea for a long time that Antonio Conte is not happy at the club. Summer speculation over a switch to Italian giants Inter did not help the matter.

However, at the moment, Conte’s demeanour does not look good. He does not seem like a happy man. Maybe it is his team’s recent struggles that have brought about his seeming unhappiness or maybe there is something lying slightly deeper behind the scenes. The Italian does not seem like the same energetic guy, as in his debut campaign as Blues boss.

Struggling for goals

Chelsea have struggled for goals of late. In fact, the Blues have scored just once in their last four games in all competitions. That record is a major worry for Conte and everybody connected with the club.

One of the main problems has been that Spanish striker Alvaro Morata seems to be going through a crisis of confidence in front of goal. The former Real Madrid striker has missed a lot of chances in recent games and it has cost the Blues.

Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard has not helped the situation. He is supposed to be the Blues main playmaker, yet he has struggled to assert himself in recent games.

As for Hazard’s compatriot Michy Batshuayi, the former Marseille star just does not look up to the task of playing for Chelsea. Morata has missed games recently through injury and suspension.

Instead of playing Batshuayi, boss Conte has decided to play with Hazard up front. That could happen again on Saturday, as the Blues visit Brighton, a game they are odds of 8/11 to win, as Morata will serve a one-match ban.

It seems Conte is now desperate for a plan B, as plan A could not hit a cows backside with a banjo a minute. The fact that the Italian is shopping in the bargain basement rather than Harrods will be slightly concerning for Chelsea fans.

Blues fans were complaining about the club potentially signing Andy Carroll. Heaven knows what they think about the club chasing Crouch. It sounds like a bad joke.

Chelsea in a battle for a top-four spot

Chelsea’s recent downturn in form means that the Blues now look to be in a battle to even finish in the top-four. Conte’s side are currently fourth in the table, but that could change if results go against them this weekend.

The Blues like the rest of the league have to accept that Manchester City have been in a different league this season. However, not finishing in the top-four would be a terrible result for Conte and his side.

The fact that Conte has to turn to the likes of Crouch and Carroll suggests that the clubs hierarchy are not fully behind the Italian boss. If they were then Chelsea would sure be looking at better quality signings.

Something is not right at Chelsea. There was speculation last summer that Conte did not get the players he really wanted to strengthen his squad. Maybe that is what is happening in the January window.

I like Antonio Conte and think he is a very talented boss. However, I fear that the Italian may leave the Blues in the summer, which would be a big loss to Chelsea and the league in general.

Which striker should Chelsea attempt to sign this month?