Attacking options could leave Lampard with choices to make – opinion

With Gonzalo Higuain gone, and Alvaro Morata reportedly more than happy to see the rest of his career out at Atletico Madrid, Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham will be Chelsea’s only senior strikers next season. However, after varying seasons, just which striker will get the nod next season?

With Lampard preferring a 4-3-3 formation, there looks to only be one starting spot in the number nine positions. Abraham, Batshuayi, and Giroud have their strengths and weaknesses which make them suitable to the sort of possession-based style of play the seemingly incoming Lampard will introduce next season.

Giroud spent five and a half years at Arsenal under the guidance of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, and so is used to possession-based football. During the Frenchman’s time at both Arsenal and Chelsea, he has been well-known for his link-up play. He was involved in Arsenal’s famous team goal against Norwich City in the 2013/2014 season. However, that is about all Giroud offers to a possession-based game. Giroud has one considerable weakness, and that is his finishing, which has been more than questionable during his time in the Premier League.

On the other hand, Batshuayi is a smaller and quicker player, with excellent finishing in the box. These are qualities that make Batshuayi look like the better striker to start for Lampard next season, especially with the pace of a passing brand of football. However, the Belgian does come with one very big red flag, and that is his consistency. Batshuayi’s highest goal tally in previous seasons was just 13 in the 2017/2018 season, which was his only double-figure scoring season since his final year at Marseille.

Last season saw a difference between the two strikers, and may ultimately be the reason Giroud starts as the number nine next campaign. While Batshauyi struggled at Valencia and had just a good loan spell at Crystal Palace. Giroud enjoyed a stand-out season for Chelsea in the Europa League, finishing top scorer and as Chelsea battered Arsenal 4-1 in the final to win the trophy.

Tammy Abraham is the youngest of the three strikers, however, he scored the most goals, finishing the season with a mass 26 goals in all competitions last year. His potency in front of goal is scary for someone who is only 21-years-old, and not to mention, his goals directly contributed to Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League.

Abraham, Batshuayi,  and Giroud have their strengths and weaknesses. However, Giroud’s experience shines through brighter than Batshuayi and Abraham, and he needs to be Chelsea’s main striker next season.