What is going on with Chelsea's transfer policy at the moment?

Antonio Conte spent most of last summer lamenting the club's transfers and it seems the situation will only be exacerbated by a flurry of rumours that are, well, bonkers. 

The Blues have been looking for another striker to join their ranks with both Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi falling from form over the winter months. The likes of Ashley Barnes, Andy Carroll, Christian Benteke and Peter Crouch have all been sensationally linked.

The latest name to join the list is West Ham's Marko Arnautovic who, despite scoring against Chelsea recently, has just six goals to his name.

None of the strikers listed are exactly awful but nowhere near the standard you would expect from the Premier League champions who have deployed the likes of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa in the last ten years.

Gary Neville wades in on the debate

As you can imagine, it has caused quite the reaction in recent weeks and few are as accurate as that of Gary Neville.

Aside from outlining the very random nature of the interest, he has importantly highlighted how Conte shouldn't be viewed so harshly. 

The high standards set by last season, current struggles and the baffling transfer behaviour have dampened in his tenure in west London when, on the whole, it has been a success.

On his podcast with Sky Sports, Neville argued: "Chelsea seem to be hell-bent on getting anybody that's over 6ft 3in and a target man.

"There is no doubt that Conte likes a target man. Graziano Pelle was a big favourite of Conte's when he was in charge of Italy so he does like someone up front who is a presence. But, are they really that desperate to have somebody for the last three months of the season?

Chelsea are actually having an OK season

"I don't see it personally. I think Chelsea are having a good season.

"People will say they are not reaching the heights of last season but my view would be that for managers at Chelsea, the season post winning the title is not easy and Conte is doing very well this season to keep the team and the momentum going.

"So I'm not quite sure why they are so hell-bent on getting a big striker. I know Conte does like a target man but I'm not sure why they are so desperate."

In summary, from the Chelsea hierarchy down to the fans, everybody needs to take a moment to breathe and gather some perspective.

A difficult few weeks and having to play second fiddle to Manchester City doesn't vindicate mass criticism for Conte and it certainly doesn't justify blindly targeting Premier League number nines.

Who do you think Chelsea should sign this month? Have your say in the comments section below.