Should Chelsea opt to sign Swansea’s Fernando Llorente or retain Michy Batshuayi?

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Sky Sports claim that deal taking Fernando Llorente to Stamford Bridge could be nearing completion, but at the cost of sending Michy Batshuayi the other way on loan as just part of the deal.

The young Belgian joined in the summer but is yet to make a start in the Premier League, with Antonio Conte opting to field Willian in Diego Costa’s place in his absence through suspension against Bournemouth on Boxing Day. So far, his chances have been limited to cameo appearances from the bench and starting roles in cup ties, mostly against lower league opposition.

Llorente has been a massive hit in Wales though, scoring six goals in 17 Premier League games to date. What the former Sevilla striker may lack in youth at 31-years-old, he makes up for with experience and physicality with have both been found wanting in the case of Batshuayi.

Now it seems that Antonio Conte must make a decision about who to keep hold of for the second half of the season. Having worked with Llorente in Turin as Juventus won Serie A with both at the club, he knows him well and seems increasingly reluctant to give Batshuayi the responsibility of being the main man. Some have speculated that Llorente could start alongside Diego Costa as well as in his place, something which the 23-year-old has not done enough to warrant even being considered since joining the club in the summer.

However, it remains to be seen how the club would react to Conte seemingly ditching, temporarily at least, a player who they spent a massive fee on in the summer.

Vote here to have your say on which striker would be more beneficial for the Blues as they push for the title in the final months of the campaign…