Batshuayi can call off Conte’s search for a striker

Brighton 0 - Chelsea 4: Chelsea’s 4-0 victory at Brighton at the weekend has quietened the critics who suggested there was a crisis building at Stamford Bridge but it hasn’t ended speculation about their search for a striker after manager Antonio Conte challenged Michy Batshuayi to fill the void – but also left the door open for him to leave.

Batshuayi, the 24-year-old who cost almost €40m from Marseille, has struggled to find his feet in west London but played well as part of a front trio at the Amex which also included man of the match Eden Hazard and Willian.

The interplay between the three was so exquisite at times, particularly for the second goal which was finished superbly by Willian, that it made recent stories that Chelsea are desperately searching for an old-school giant striker such as Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch or Edin Dzeko, seem even stranger.