Hazard: Chelsea doesn't need target forward

Linked with the likes of Andy Carroll, Edin Dzeko, and even Peter Crouch, it seems Chelsea is in the market for a tall, physically imposing centre-forward, but Eden Hazard doesn't quite see why his team needs such a target man.

The idea, on paper, is that Chelsea could use a hold-up striker to distribute the ball to players like Hazard in wider positions, and that archetypal option isn't available to manager Antonio Conte when he looks to his bench. Instead, it is Michy Batshuayi who must deputise for starting man Alvaro Morata.

The Blues' search for such a striker arose after a spell of poor scoring form in which they failed to net a single goal in three successive matches, recording 0-0 draws against Norwich City in the FA Cup, Arsenal in the League Cup, and Leicester City in the Premier League in the month of January.

But Hazard still doesn't see the point in searching for a new striker, especially considering the quality of the current crop at Stamford Bridge.

"I think we have two very good strikers in Alvaro and Michy," Hazard said, as quoted by the Telegraph's Sam Dean. "If they are not ready to play, I can play striker, so I don't think we need (another striker).

"Because we are missing chances, people are saying we need another striker, but if we are scoring goals we are the best attack in the league and no one can say we need a striker. It depends on the form of the team, and I think we are happy with the team we have."

Chelsea's offence breathed life again on Saturday as the Blues routed Brighton 4-0, with Hazard scoring twice and Willian contributing a goal of his own, though starter Batshuayi failed to find the back of the net.

Hazard insists Chelsea doesn't need to look for a target man because Batshuayi already fits the style of football Chelsea, and other top teams like Manchester City, like to play.

"Who is the best team this year? Manchester City. The strikers, (Gabriel) Jesus and (Sergio) Aguero, are not big," Hazard said. "It's simple. It depends how you want to play. If you want to play with long balls, you need a target man; if you want to keep the ball on the floor, you need a small guy."