Chelsea are said to be interested in bringing Peter Crouch to the club after a reported move for Andy Carroll fell though when the West Ham player was ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.
Antonio Conte’s increasingly desperate search for a targetman has apparently led him to Stoke City, although the club appear reluctant to let the 36-year-old leave so soon after the arrival of new manager Paul Lambert.
The news has sent the world of football into a tizzy with a mixture of excitement and surprise expressed by rival fans.
These were the best of the jokes and tweets as Chelsea are rumoured to be targeting Peter Crouch in the January transfer window:
https://twitter.com/Nigerianscamsss/status/954080727171289088
https://twitter.com/DareToEden/status/954097773187497984
https://twitter.com/gle1979/status/954110100490326017
https://twitter.com/KingOfKorriban/status/954092841466257409
Revealed: Antonio Conte's shortlist if he can't get Peter Crouch pic.twitter.com/yuBB1dAH1I
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) January 18, 2018
If Peter Crouch comes to Chelsea I will stand outside Stamford bridge in a full Chelsea kit for an hour and do the robot.
— Gregg Wilson (@Glendoingitagen) January 18, 2018
Peter Crouch has already arrived at Chelsea HQ pic.twitter.com/rqfRQoYH4c
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) January 18, 2018
You: inquires about Peter Crouch in search of a big striker
Me, an intellectual: signs Steven Caulker and plays him up front— James (@arghappy) January 18, 2018
If Peter Crouch knocks back Chelsea they could make a move for Carlton Cole.
— david hales (@westhamster2) January 18, 2018
SPOTTED: Peter Crouch on way to Chelsea for medical pic.twitter.com/2LMF5lw6Mc
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) January 18, 2018
I’d love it if Chelsea signed Peter Crouch. Love it. pic.twitter.com/f8X69Z5PJe
— ⚽️442oons⚽️ (@442oons) January 18, 2018
Peter Crouch practicing his diving so he'll fit in at Chelsea pic.twitter.com/1kcv1pUEnK
— Jared (@jaredgatzemeyer) January 18, 2018
Picture the scene. Peter Crouch joins Chelsea. He bangs fifteen goals in between now and May. Off he goes to the World Cup. Scores the winner against Germany in the final. Retires. His work is complete.
Finally Peter Crouch can return to his home planet and rest.
— Rob Hill (@robvanriot) January 18, 2018
Scenes if Peter Crouch scores the winner to knock Barcelona out the Champions League and does the robot in front of Messi's face. pic.twitter.com/uB42QfnpuP
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) January 18, 2018
Realistically what can Stoke demand for Peter Crouch like? Twenty quid and a ladder so they can replace his ability to get the biscuit tin down from the top shelf?
— Don Kopleone (@donkopleone) January 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Vintage_Utd/status/954085119433887745
https://twitter.com/_Peteeee/status/954088339577167872
https://twitter.com/MrAhmedKhan_/status/954088407508058116
https://twitter.com/mchdecky/status/954086619245621248
https://twitter.com/SkiIlFirmino/status/954115416292560896