FRANCO Di Santo is a gamble worth taking for Blackburn Rovers.

That’s the verdict of a journalist who has followed the young striker’s career over the past few years.

The Argentinian, who holds an Italian passport, is still to register a senior Premier League goal.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Chilean outfit Audax Italiano for over £3m last January, Di Santo never managed a full start, and made only 16 appearances off the bench.

But playing with marksmen like Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou must be one of the hardest parties to crash, especially with them firing on all cylinders so consistently.

Even so, he was handed the Number 9 shirt by Luiz Felipe Scolari when Steve Sidwell was sold to Aston Villa. Just two weeks ago, he bagged his first goal for the Chelsea first team, before setting up another in the club’s final pre-season tour game against Club America.

“He never really had much of an opportunity at Chelsea,” said Simon Johnson, the Blues reporter at the London Evening Standard.

“He had 10 to 15 minutes here and there, which obviously is tough for any player. He hasn’t had the best of luck.

“But he does have a lot of quality, is good in the air and has a bit of pace too. If he bags a couple in the early season for Blackburn, then he will grow in confidence and the gamble will surely pay off.”

Di Santo tore a hamstring in the Carling Cup fourth round defeat at home to Burnley last season, so clearly it was his form in Chelsea’s reserves that really caught Allardyce’s eye.

Having netted on his reserve team debut against Fulham in February 2008, he quickly bagged his first hat-trick against Tottenham.

He kept up his deadly form to finish the 2007/08 season with 12 reserve goals in eight games, an impressive statistic considering he made his debut halfway through the season.

It is clear why he impressed Allardyce, but one might wonder what that season's FA Cup winner and Champions League finalists saw in him.

Although Big Sam has not parted with any cash for the forward yet, it could be an investment worth making in the future.

His form – and goals – will go a long way to deciding that.