With Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka not firing on all cylinders within the last couple of months, my mind turned to a striker with whom nobody has really mentioned, or in fact has linked with Chelsea to my knowledge.
Both Drogba and Anelka are now at an age where we should start looking for at least one, if not two proven goalscorers. In my opinion, both Sturridge and Kalou are not world-class, but they have age on their side, whereas both Anelka and Drogba are, in my personal opinion, coming to the end of their natural careers at the club, with the latter part of this season proving that fact.
A name sprang to mind a few days ago regarding a striker who has scored many a goal in the last couple of seasons, however, his name has gone unnoticed to large extents. Personally I’m still unsure if this particular player could do what is necessary at Chelsea, but I’ve wanted to put his name forward in any case.
He moved to his current club in 2009 and in 71 appearances for that club, has scored 40 goals. When his next birthday comes around in August, he will be 27, his name? Giampaolo Pazzini.
If you cast your mind back to when the new Wembley was opened, the Italian U21 team came to play England’s U21’s and on that particular afternoon, Pazzini grabbed a hat-trick and the first goal at the new stadium after just 28 seconds.
With an ageing strike force in Drogba and Anelka, could Pazzini be the player to come from Italy to bolster our attacking line for the 2011/12 season?
My perceptions of Pazzini are that he is more of a poacher than a striker who will score from outside of the box, but every goal counts. However, could Pazzini adjust to the Premiership and to Chelsea? I’m sure that the lifestyle would suit the Italian. From what I’ve seen, Pazzini is quite flamboyant, but would that suit the club and ultimately the fans?
Whilst on Twitter recently, I asked a well-known Journalist what he thought of Pazzini, my reply was that the Italian could play in the Premiership, but it would depend upon the level. He also went on to say that he didn’t like Pazzini as much as some others and wasn’t too sure about his personality, either.
Could Chelsea take a risk on such a player and in reality, how much would Sampdoria ask for Pazzini? Without knowing a great deal about the Italian club, I do believe that their financial situation is quite good.
So, would Pazzini really fit the bill in SW6? Names always crop up when we research strikers and their abilities, but Pazzini is someone that has gone undetected to a degree, perhaps he’s one to keep a close eye on, or should we leave him well alone?
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