Chelsea win battle for Michy Batshuayi and Belgian expert explains just what Blues are getting
SunSport's Belgian football expert tells you while Antonio Conte has finally found heir worthy of Didier Drogba's crown
Chelsea have finally found an heir worthy of wearing Didier Drogba’s crown.
In 22-year-old Michy Batshuayi, Antonio Conte has secured one of the great strikers in the European game.
The Belgian is the complete football who knows where the net is.
Though he can be the new Drogba, we liken him another ex-Chelsea striker, who enjoyed somewhat less success at Stamford Bridge.
Batshuayi is similar in style to Daniel Sturridge.
He is a nice first touch, pace on the ball with a good eye for the goal but with the added bonus he rarely suffers injuries.
Batshuayi is a powerful player due his great strength and size. Despite being predominantly right-footed, he is adept at playing with both feet.
He is an intelligent player, with a great ability to read the game and always chooses the right option.
Batshuayi is a technical player who can operate very well outside the area. He loves to find pockets of spaces and is a striker who likes to run and exploit his big stride.
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The pacey frontman was a troubled youth who was expelled from Anderlecht’s academy before joining Standard Liege.
And it was in the French-speaking Belgian city that Batshuayi turned his career around.
He made his professional debut in 2011 and stayed until 2014 where he enjoyed his most fruitful season — bagging 21 goals.
Marcelo Bielsa convinced Marseille to pay £4.5million for the striker’s services.
And it was under ‘El Loco’, where he really learnt his trade.
Bielsa actually sent former protege, Mauricio Pochettino, amid rumours the striker was wanted by Tottenham.
Batshuayi burst onto the scene last season after netting 17 goals and creating nine assists during a difficult campaign for the Ligue 1 club — having to endure fan protests and managerial changes.
He was the fourth-top scorer in the division behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic (38), Alexandre Lacazette (21) and Edinson Cavani (19).
While Batshuayi also scored four in the Europa League and two in the French Cup bringing his total for 2015-16 to an impressive 23.
He has had few opportunities with the Belgian national team but has an impressive ratio.
In just 167 minutes of game time, Batshuayi found the back of the net three times — including against Hungary in their Euro 2016 last-16 clash — which averages out at a goal every 55 minutes.
Chelsea had to fend off interest from West Ham, Tottenham, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, while Crystal Palace made a bid of £31million.
However, Batshuayi was desperate to play with his Belgian team-mates, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.
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