Opta Jury: Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo is the latest player to feature in the Opta Jury.

Jose Mourinho may have disappointed Hernan Crespo's wife by deciding to recall the Argentine striker to Chelsea in the summer but the Blues boss is above such concerns and has seemingly made yet another correct decision.

Crespo's first season in English football was not the abject failure than some made it out to be, but he certainly did not hit the heights that have made him one of the most sought-after centre forwards in world football in the last decade in his initial spell at Stamford Bridge.

A return to Serie A in summer 2004, albeit on loan, was seized by Crespo, and his season at Milan so very nearly ended with a UEFA Champions League winner's medal. His brace of goals against Liverpool in the final was not quite enough but it demonstrated to the world that his predatory instincts in front of goal were as sharp as ever.

This season Crespo has been battling for a first team place with Didier Drogba and their contest seems to have added even more of a cutting edge to the Chelsea attack. Crespo has managed just two goals - compared to the Ivorian's five - but Mourinho has noted how much his Argentine has changed over the past 16 months.

Statistically there is an almost sinister consistency to Crespo over the past three seasons. He has hit more than half of his shots on target and has converted two to three out of every 10 shots at goal. It is these qualities that have made him a repeated target of multi-million pound transfers.

He bagged 10 league goals at Milan last season, but his minutes per goal rate in both spells at Chelsea is higher, suggesting that whatever personal difficulties he has faced in England, his striking instincts simply will not be dulled. Now that he is in a more positive frame of mind, Crespo is sure to be a key man for the champions this season.

What do you think? Is Crespo a hit, a miss or is the jury still out? We want your feedback so use the form below to send us your views.