Paul Merson believes Antonio Conte could do far worse than turn to West Brom defender Jonny Evans as the Chelsea boss targets reinforcements before the summer window closes.
Conte confirmed after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday that the board were working ‘very hard’ to complete some late signings.
The champions have spent close to £150million on Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger but are expected to bolster Conte’s squad with two of three signings before the August 31 deadline.
Arsenal legend Merson believes Chelsea need at least two more additions and says Evans, the West Brom captain and former Manchester United player, could be an ideal alternative to Virgil van Dijk.
A number of clubs are interested in want-away defender Van Dijk but Southampton have so far shown an unwillingness to sell the 26-year-old.
‘They still need another centre-forward and centre-half with the extra games they’re going to have to play,’ Merson told Sky Sports.
‘They’ve got the money to go and get Virgil van Dijk or they could even go for Jonny Evans, who I like.
‘Strikers are hard as everybody wants one but if Alvaro Morata gets injured is Michy Batshuayi going to fire you to title? He’s a decent player but I’m not sure he’s at that level.
‘Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one that has been mentioned but I’m not sure he’s got that physical presence to lead the line on his own so it’s a difficult one.’
Chelsea have been strongly linked with Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater and remain hopeful of bringing the England international to Stamford Bridge this week.
Arsenal’s Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Everton star Ross Barkley and Swansea City attacker Fernando Llorente have also emerged as targets.
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