Chelsea have been warned off an approach for West Ham striker Andy Carroll, with Pat Nevin considering him to be “one-dimensional”.
Antonio Conte is said to be in the market for attacking reinforcements during the January transfer window.
He allowed Diego Costa to leave on the back of a Premier League title success last season, with only Alvaro Morata added to the ranks over the summer.
Michy Batshuayi remains at Stamford Bridge as a back-up option, but he is expected to head out on loan and reports have suggested that attention has shifted to England international Carroll.
Former Blues star Nevin has, however, told Radio 5 Live on the 29-year-old frontman: “He wouldn’t be my choice. Purely because the way Chelsea play is very intricate most of the time and he’s more of a hold-up player.
“He’s a great attacker of the ball, arguably the best in the business when balls are flighted into the box.
“But he can be a little one-dimensional at times and I don’t think Chelsea are that sort of team.
“If you are aiming for the absolute top level, then I’m not sure you get to the end of the Champions League or try to beat Manchester City with him being the answer.
“Having said that, there are worse things that could happen and you could bring him in as an option.
“I’m just not sure he would be Antonio Conte’s choice.”
Conte recently admitted to Sky Sport Italia that he has “rarely been given the players I asked for”.
He went on to say: “Recruitment is not my job. The club try to do the best for this team and try to improve this team. I am a coach and I give my opinion if the club asks for it. But it is the club that decides on the players."
Carroll, then, could be brought in over his head, but Hammers boss David Moyes has claimed to be in the dark regarding the Chelsea rumours and the Blues continue to be linked with several other striking alternatives.