Chelsea: Five strikers who could join the Blues in January to help solve their crisis

JOSE MOURINHO is making plans for January after getting a stay of execution at Chelsea, and first priority seems to be up front.

Jose Mourinho is desperate to add a striker to his squad in January

Diego Costa is faltering in front of goal after an electric start to his career while Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy are struggling to make an impact.

Chelsea have scored just 16 times in the league this season, 10 fewer than leaders Manchester City, after 12 games.
Costa has more bookings (3) than goals (2) in the league having played 10 games and always seems liable to pick up another ban.

He was in another war with Ryan Shawcross on Saturday and was even called out by a Stoke steward for assault - although that issue has been resolved.
But battles with Martin Skrtel, Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny have given the impression he's more worried about antagonising than scoring.
And Mourinho can no longer count on him to do both at once.
So the Portuguese looks ready to act in January and improve his squad.

Mourinho has been granted a stay of execution at Chelsea

Here's five strikers who could turn up at Cobham when the transfer window re-opens.

Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain is the man in the headlines this morning.
The Napoli star, who has nine in 12 in Serie A this season, is being linked with a Stamford Bridge move.
And the former Real Madrid striker could be just what Mourinho needs having worked together at the Bernabeu.
The Argentina international, according to the Daily Mirror, is the man he wants to lead Chelsea's charge.
However it is thought Higuain is likely to stay in Naples until the summer and assess Chelsea's progress then with Champions League qualification probably the decisive factor.

Antoine Griezmann
Mourinho wanted Antoine Griezmann in the summer but couldn't convince him to leave Atletico Madrid.
The France star has scored five goals in 11 Liga games this term.
He would add a huge amount of dynamism to Chelsea's front line which has looked static at times this season.
With Eden Hazard struggling to recapture last season's form and Oscar struggling, Willian has been the Blues best player.
But another in the squad like Griezmann, who can also lead the line, would benefit Mourinho.

Javier Hernandez
Javier Hernandez joined Bayer Leverkusen from Manchester United in the summer.
But reports this morning have suggested he's among Chelsea's shortlist for January.
The Mexico star was brilliant under Sir Alex Ferguson at United but struggled under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
He was shipped out on loan to Real Madrid last season and was sold in the summer, but ESPN report Chelsea could make a move for him.

Didier Drogba
Chelsea stars are desperate to be reunited with Didier Drogba, according to the Sun.
Drogba left the Blues in the summer for Montreal Impact after a second spell in west London.
And the man who scored their winning spot kick in the Champion League 2012 could be set for a sensational return.
A Chelsea source told the Sun said: “Didier was always the man who kept spirits up.
“He can speak three or four languages and was on great terms with pretty much every different nationality in the whole squad.
“He was the one who used to post pictures of the players together on Instagram. He bought the gold rings for his team-mates to commemorate the Champions League win in 2012.
“A few players have spoken about how they miss him and it would be great if he could come back to train and reignite the old spark.”

Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford is on loan at Crystal Palace but has barely had a sniff.
He was last season's Championship player of the year with Middlesbrough but is yet to score in the Premier League in three substitute appearances.
The 22-year-old could return to the Blues if an agreement is made with Palace, although he would be expected to go out on loan again unless Mourinho is unable to sign anyone else.