Chelsea counting on in-form striker to solve squads problem

According to Sky Sports, Burnley forward Ashley Barnes is the latest player to be connected with a transfer to Chelsea.

The reigning Premier League champions are in the market for a striker this New Year to provide cover and competition for underperforming Spain international striker Alvaro Morata.

In the absence of the Spaniard, the Blues returned to winning ways with a 4-0 win over Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

The striker appears to have been named as a backup plan just in case a move for Edin Dzeko fails to materialize.

The Blues are allegedly closing in on a move for Dzeko from AS Roma this January transfer window but have also been strongly linked to the likes of Peter Crouch and Andy Carroll.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is known to be in the transfer market for a physical forward to ease the burden of goalscoring off the shoulder of out-of-form Morata.

The Burnley forward has netted three times in the English Premier League this term in eight starts as Sean Dyche’s team enjoy a strong season.

The Chelsea target has been an unpopular figure at the West London club after his clash with former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic during Jose Mourinho’s spell at the club.