Antonio Conte could be after another striker this January, says Wayne Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Former Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge believes Antonio Conte will look to sign another striker as an alternative to Alvaro Morata in the January transfer window.

The Spanish forward has made a great start at Stamford Bridge with seven goals in eight games so far, but Bridge believes the Blues still lack a direct replacement for Diego Costa.

Conte currently has Michy Batshuayi to call on as backup to Morata, but Bridge expects that area of the pitch to be one the Chelsea manager will look at at the next opportunity.

This follows Chelsea trying to sign Fernando Llorente from Swansea towards the end of the summer, before the Spaniard chose Tottenham instead.

Alvaro Morata has shone for the Blues so far (Picture: Getty)
Michy Batshuayi also looks a very capable backup option (Picture: Getty)

Llorente seems to be the type of player Bridge is referring to, though he didn’t name any specific candidates that Conte might focus on this winter.

‘Morata has obvious quality – he’s quick, he’s running in behind and scoring goals with his head and his feet,’ Bridge told The Sun.

‘He’s a totally different player in terms of what Chelsea are used to, with the likes of Didier Drogba and Costa who are big and strong and bullied defenders. With the likes of Fabregas who can slip him in, with the runs that he makes he’s going to get chances.

Bridge feels Chelsea need a player more similar to Diego Costa (Picture: Getty)

‘I really like him but I expect them to probably sign another centre-forward in January. Not to replace Morata but someone either to work with him or they can change. Someone physically a bit stronger and who wants to bully defenders.’

Bridge made no mention of Batshuayi’s place in the Chelsea squad, despite the Belgian also getting off to a fine start this season even in limited playing time.

Conte tried to sign Fernando Llorente towards the end of the summer (Picture: Getty)

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The 23-year-old has five goals in seven appearances, though none of those have come in the Premier League as Conte seems to continue to have doubts over using him more in the biggest games.

It remains to be seen if the Italian can be won over, however, with Batshuayi coming off the bench to net a crucial winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week.

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