Chelsea give up on Edin Dzeko as they turn attentions to Olivier Giroud or Fernando Llorente
The champions have instead turned their attention to Arsenal’s Giroud and Tottenham's Llorente after failing to do a deal with Roma
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Your support makes all the difference.Antonio Conte has confirmed that Edin Dzeko will not be coming to Chelsea this window, after negotiations broke down at the weekend.
The champions have instead turned their attention to Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and Tottenham Hotspur’s Fernando Llorente, and if they get a striker of that profile they will let Michy Batshuayi go out on line.
The situation does temporarily pose a selection problem and decision on the day of a game for Conte, because Alvaro Morata is out injured for Wednesday’s match at home to Bournemouth, a game that takes places just hours before the window closes. Roma’s Emerson Palmieri is meanwhile expected to arrive in a £20m deal, likely by Tuesday evening.
Dzeko had become Conte’s top target but they could make no progress on any deal by Monday morning.
“I don't like speaking about players from other teams, but I think he's Roma's player,” the Italian said of Dzeko. “I think he will continue to be Roma's player.”
Conte was a little more reticent on Palmieri, and stressed he does still want a striker.
“I can hope for everything. But the most important thing is reality. Now the reality is this. I have to prepare the game in the right way with these players, and I'm very happy to do this. As you know very well, I always say that I would be happy in both cases: if the club decides to add players (or not). Otherwise I'm very happy to work with these players because they show me every day great behaviour and great commitment. My only hope is this transfer window finishes very soon, especially because that means you can change this line of questioning for me.”
Chelsea will continue their pursuit of a striker.
“I can hope for everything,” Conte said. “But the most important thing is reality. Now the reality is this. I have to prepare the game in the right way with these players, and I'm very happy to do this. As you know very well, I always say that I would be happy in both cases: if the club decides to add players (or not). Otherwise I'm very happy to work with these players because they show me every day great behaviour and great commitment. My only hope is this transfer window finishes very soon, especially because that means you can change this line of questioning for me.”
As regards the fitness situation for Wednesday, Conte confirmed that “Morata, Willian and Luiz are out”, and that complicates Batshuayi’s situation.
“I don't know. But now he's a Chelsea player,” Conte said of his stand-in striker. “For this reason, he's in contention for tomorrow's game. Also because I have Morata injured and I don't have other options. Especially as Willian is also injured. Hazard can play No9, so I'd need to find another No10.”
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