Fernando Llorente would be a great signing to bolster Chelsea's title bid, says former Blue Craig Burley

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James Benge9 January 2017

Swansea striker Fernando Llorente could be the ideal signing to bolster Chelsea’s title charge, according to former Blues midfielder Craig Burley.

Standard Sport reported last week that Antonio Conte had launched a surprise move to reunite himself with the 31-year-old forward, who he first managed at Juventus in 2013.

Conte is keen to add options to his squad in advanced areas with only Michy Batshuayi, yet to start a Premier League game, available to cover for first-choice striker Diego Costa.

Llorente has yet to set the world alight since his summer move to Swansea, netting six goals and starting only 13 Premier League games, but Burley believes that playing with a high-calibre squad such as Chelsea’s could be just what the Athletic Bilbao legend needs.

“This has gathered some legs over the last 24 hours,” Burley told ESPN. “Costa has been great but we know that can boil over at any second and the red mist comes down. Conte has talked about Batshuayi being young and inexperienced and not quite ready.

“I think a guy, who funnily enough hasn't always played at Swansea, but he's got experience, he's a good target man and in a better team you would see a better Fernando Llorente.

“I think as a squad player this is definitely something that could happen and bolster Chelsea for the title run-in.

“And he wouldn't be particularly expensive either, you're not going to shell out millions and millions to get him and he's going to give you someone who can come on and change the dynamic.”

Batshuayi started his first game since October on Sunday, leading the Chelsea line in a 4-1 FA Cup third round victory over Peterborough in which he scored his side’s second goal.

Speaking after the match Conte hailed Batshuayi’s commitment and has previously insisted the 23-year-old would not be departing on loan, though he refused to be drawn on his interest in Llorente.

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