Chelsea’s Mauro Icardi transfer could backfire, says club legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

CHELSEA have been warned Mauro Icardi might not be able to cope with the physicality of the Premier League.

The Inter Milan and Argentina forward has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Icardi has a £97.5million release clause but Inter's need to appease Uefa's FFP regulations could see him leave for a much lower price.

But standing at just 5ft 9in, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink believes the 25-year-old lacks the stature to succeed in England.

The Dutchman, who scored 81 goals in 169 games for the Blues, told 888sport: “I’d have to see Icardi in the Premiership first.

"The Italian league is totally different.

"Obviously he’s a good player and has great potential but so many of the foreign stars come here and cannot cope with the physicality and pace of the Premiership.

"If he does come we’d have to be patient with him.”

While his physical attributes might be questionable, there is little doubting Icardi's recent goalscoring record.

He netted 29 times in 34 Serie A starts in the 2017-18 campaign and has followed that up with 10 goals in all competitions this term.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will firm up their interest in Icardi during the January transfer window.

However, should Maurizio Sarri acquire the forward in the New Year it would be a major boost to the club's title chances.

After 12 games Chelsea remain unbeaten, and are third in the table just four points adrift of leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool split the pair and are two points behind City in what looks like a straight three-way battle for the championship.