This Premier League striker is Chelsea’s ready-made Costa replacement

This Premier League striker is Chelsea’s ready-made Costa replacement

Chelsea took a huge step towards the Premier League title with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Everton yesterday afternoon, where the Blues overcame what could have been a huge hurdle to their quest to end the season victorious.

Antonio Conte’s side are now just four games from lifting the title in West London but Chelsea are under no illusion that their squad is complete, as they need significant additions this summer to improve they’re competitive in their return to the Champions League.

One of the most pressing concerns for Chelsea is their attacking ranks, as Diego Costa has continuously been linked with an exit for the past year and the Spaniard’s form has significantly dropped since high-profile links concerning a move to China during the January transfer window.

With Costa admitting he wanted a return to Atletico Madrid last summer, it’s becoming clear that Chelsea need to find a replacement in the close-season window and a move for a top-class replacement is necessary to rival their opponents on the European stage.

Fortunately, the Blues have a ready-made replacement intent on a move to Stamford Bridge in the form of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, as the Belgian forward is keen to return to his former side where he believes he has unfinished business.

Lukaku joined the Toffees for a club-record fee three years ago and has excelled since, with the 23-year-old scoring 54 Premier League goals in 103 games- adding to the 15 strikes he secured during his loan spell on Merseyside during the 2013/14 season.

Still just 23, Lukaku has developed into one of the finish strikers in world football and currently tops the Premier League scoring charts with 24 goals. It’s now becoming clear that he’s outgrown Chelsea and a move to a Champions League side is likely this summer.

Whilst the likes of Manchester United are also expressing interest in Lukaku this summer, Chelsea hold the trump card due to their previous links with the Belgian forward and he’s the perfect candidate to slot into Antonio Conte’s set-up.

Like Diego Costa, Lukaku is a strong, resilient striker who’s not afraid to use his bulky frame to upset defenders and he’s dangerous in all aspects of his game- including running at defenders, in the air, from set pieces and at range.

In some areas, Lukaku can be seen as a significant upgrade on Costa and the fact he’s still just 23 plays into Chelsea’s hands as they can develop him into the perfect spearhead in their formation.

With the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez supporting from out wide, as well as the midfield pushing in behind him, Lukaku would have the top-class service he requires and should find the consistency that has been absent from his game during times in his Everton career.

Lukaku would certainly be costly but Chelsea’s benefits from the signing would spread across numerous years and the fact they’re likely to earn a pretty-figure if they sell Costa to China will certainly come in handy.