BRIGHTON -- Eden Hazard insisted that Chelsea do not need to sign a target man as he and Antonio Conte praised Michy Batshuayi's impressive performance in Saturday's 4-0 win over Brighton.
Batshuayi was handed just his third Premier League start of the season with Alvaro Morata and Pedro Rodriguez both suspended for the trip to the Amex Stadium and led the line intelligently, linking up with a rampant Hazard and setting up Willian for Chelsea's spectacular second goal with an audacious flick.
Reports last week linked the Premier League champions with shock loan moves for West Ham striker Andy Carroll and Stoke City veteran Peter Crouch, who turns 37 at the end of the month, while there has also been speculation suggesting a permanent deal for Roma striker Edin Dzeko could be agreed this month.
But speaking after the Brighton win, Hazard claimed that Chelsea do not need to sign a physically imposing forward to supplement Morata and potentially replace Batshuayi, who could join Sevilla on loan in search of regular playing time.
"Football is simple -- keep the ball on the ground and try [to play] like we did," Hazard said. "I think we have two very good strikers in Alvaro and Michy. If they are not ready to play I can play striker, so I don't think we need [another one].
"Because we are missing chances people are saying we need another striker, but if we are scoring goals we are the best attack in the league and no one can say we need a striker. It depends on the form of the team and I think we're happy with the team we have."
Conte also spoke highly of Batshuayi.
"In my idea of football, we need a striker who must be a point of reference, to have these type of combinations," he said. "Batshuayi played a really good game -- he didn't score, but he worked well for the team. He did what I asked him to do. The No.9 is an important player because I want him to be a point of reference to our team. I'm very satisfied with Batshuayi."
Asked about the wider principle of top clubs gearing their attacking systems around big, physical centre-forwards, Hazard replied: "Who is the best team this year? Man City. The strikers, [Gabriel] Jesus and [Sergio] Aguero, are not big.
"It's simple. It depends how you want to play. If you want to play with long balls you need a target man, if you want to keep the ball on the floor you need a small guy. It depends how you want to play."
The most important deals that Chelsea could do between now and the end of the season are new long-term contracts for Hazard and countryman Thibaut Courtois, who missed the Brighton game with an ankle knock.
Speaking in December, Hazard's father Thierry claimed that his son is keeping his options open in the hope of attracting an offer from Real Madrid, who are long-term admirers and may be looking to rebuild this summer if they cannot salvage a miserable season.
"My dad says some bad things," Hazard added with a smile. "I talked with him, no worries. I'm focused with Chelsea. I've got two years contract left and I'm happy here. Like I said 10 times before, I want to finish this year and then we'll see. But I'm happy here."