Chelsea have had their fair share of misfiring strikers over the years; let's hope the buck stops with Xabi Alonso.

Alonso is the latest manager to try his hand under the turbulent BlueCo regime at Stamford Bridge, but it's important to note that the Spaniard has been given far more power than his predecessors, which should see Chelsea steer away from the scattergun strategy that has yielded such unfruitful returns.

After finishing ninth in the Premier League last season, Chelsea find themselves without European football. This will temper their reach in the transfer market, but that's not to say that Alonso cannot still target talented players.

Chelsea leading race for new striker

BlueCo have recognised the severity of Chelsea's situation, having recorded mid-table Premier League finishes in two of their past four campaigns.

In order to turn things around, Chelsea need to sign a striker this summer, and one who won't fall by the wayside.

Joao Pedro was crowned the club's Player of the Season after bagging 20 goals in all competitions, but Liam Delap has endured a dismal year after arriving from Ipswich Town for £30m last summer.

It would not be a surprise to see Delap head off for a new challenge this summer, but Chelsea need a big upgrade if they hope to close the gap on those at the top of the Premier League.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are leading a whole host of Premier League rivals for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Chelsea are already in contact with the Serbia international's representatives, now acting on interest that stretches back several years.

Vlahovic is on a big salary in Italy, and though he isn't coming off his strongest season in Serie A, he could be a shrewd foil to challenge Joao Pedro for a starting berth up top, perhaps spelling the end of Delap's time in west London.

Why Vlahovic would be a Delap upgrade for Chelsea

Vlahovic is “one of the best strikers in the world”, according to former Italy international Luca Toni. However, he has struggled to maintain his finest form in a Juventus shirt for some time now, and it's clear that a change of scenery could be the best way for him to resurrect his career.

That said, across this injury-hit campaign, Vlahovic still scored ten goals across 23 matches in all competitions, only starting 16 times in Serie A. He is an "absolute monster" in front of goal, as commented by Italian football expert Carlo Garganese, utilising his speed and physicality to an emphatic effect.

Also providing an aerial threat, the 26-year-old Vlahovic is essentially just a sharper and more accomplished version of Delap, who has wilted in the final third for the Blues this season, only scoring once in the Premier League.

Though Delap proved himself with relegated Ipswich last season, and was coveted by any number of Premier League teams before Chelsea won that race, Alonso simply can't afford to make a slow start, with Chelsea already at a low ebb, at the wrong side of a widening gap between themselves and the topmost pack.

Vlahovic has demonstrable quality for a top team, winning titles with Juventus and performing well in the Champions League. Nine goals and three assists in Europe's elite competition suggests that a coach like Alonso could unlock his world-class potential.

Vlahovic has had his ups and downs in Turin, but he is a prolific goalscorer who could thrive in a fluent Chelsea system led by Alonso. It's hard to imagine he'd do any worse than Delap.