Diego Costa or Who? Chelsea Fans Pick Their Preferred Striker This Season
Chelsea find themselves in a conundrum. After pinning their hopes on Romelu Lukaku returning to Stamford Bridge this summer as Diego Costa's long-term replacement up front, they've been left with egg on their faces.
After a long-term flirtation, Manchester United have stepped in to prise Lukaku from Blues manager Antonio Conte's clutches. The Belgian's £75 million move from Everton to Old Trafford was made official this week leaving Chelsea wondering what their next move should be.
So, where do Chelsea go from here? Do they stick with Costa, patching things up with the Spain international to stop him dreaming of an Atletico Madrid return?
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Or do they invest their money in another leading frontman after being burned by the result of Lukaku's transfer?
It's a tough one, as, for all his faults, Costa remains a known quantity. For all the controversy that surrounds him, Costa brings a guarantee of goals. By dipping their toes in the choppy waters of the transfer market, there's no secret recipe to finding a player capable of replacing Costa's output sufficiently enough for Chelsea to retain their Premier League crown.
What do Chelsea fans think about all this? Who should replace Costa, if at all? Should he remain at Stamford Bridge? We took to Twitter to gauge opinion.
What the polls are saying
The options are clear where Chelsea stand. It's which one they decide to take that is the problem.
We asked Blues fans for their views on this, and the reaction was rather definitive: They want Costa gone, with the money from his sale—not to mention the funds from the other business Chelsea have conducted this summer—used to bring in another big name.
Fans want to see the club matching the ambition of their rivals, and that means investing in the transfer market. More than 50 per cent opted for Costa to leave, with just over a quarter hoping he stays to lead the line.
Of course, there's another factor in all this: Michy Batshuayi. He was largely a forgotten man last term, failing to complete 90 minutes all season in the Premier League. Chelsea supporters haven't forgotten him, though, with some calling for Batshuayi to be given an opportunity to show he's capable of stepping into Costa's boots.
Should that happen, it still doesn't answer Conte's other problems. It would leave the Chelsea manager with just one recognised striker in his squad going into a season that sees the Blues back in the Champions League and competing on four fronts. That's not enough.
So, who to bring in?
Andrea Belotti
Current club: Torino
He's one of the hottest properties in Serie A right now, and it seems Chelsea fans like the look of Belotti.
The Italian fits the bill for what the Chelsea hierarchy like in their players, too; namely that he's young. At 23 years old, he has his career ahead of him, and we've seen in more recent transfer windows that it's for players such as Belotti that Chelsea are willing to invest.
Last season saw the Italian score 26 goals in Serie A, which is a fine return indeed. Throw in the fact Torino finished ninth in the table and it makes it even more so.
"Belotti. Need a goal scorer.
— J. Tweeds (@JoeTweedie) July 10, 2017"
With an eye for goal and the physique to compete in the Premier League, he seems like an ideal prospect for Chelsea to consider.
For all of the above, however, Belotti is relatively inexperienced compared to some of the other names Chelsea have been linked with this summer. Can Conte risk bringing in another young, up-and-coming striker without that experience to help lead the line?
Belotti would be a healthy addition to the squad, but he doesn't answer all the problems Chelsea face.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
The Gabon striker is a favourite of most neutrals across the continent. Currently plying his trade with Borussia Dortmund, the 28-year-old has had us all salivating with his prolific form in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
At 28, he fits the bill for what Chelsea need this summer, too. Conte needs a big name to build his attacking line-up around. That doesn't mean the likes of Batshuayi shouldn't be part of the conversation, but Chelsea need the assurance experience brings.
Aubameyang brings much more than experience, of course. Judging by his Dortmund form, he brings plenty of goals, which is why Blues supporters want him at their club.
He won't come cheap, but then talent doesn't in the modern era. If Chelsea are looking for a bona fide star to lead their attack, Aubameyang has the profile to fit the bill.
Alexis Sanchez
Current club: Arsenal
Let's forget for a moment the torment Arsenal fans would go through if Alexis Sanchez deserted them for Chelsea. Arsenal Fan TV would most certainly reach new heights (or lows, depending on where you stand on that).
There is a serious point beyond fans goading fans where Sanchez is concerned because he has everything Chelsea require in a player. He can lead the line when required, but he also provides an option on the flanks as an inside forward.
What that gives Conte is the opportunity to rotate his attackers. It adds a dynamic that doesn't exist right now, which is what signing new players is supposed to be about. It's not enough to replace like-for-like; successful transfer policies give teams new options. And that's what Sanchez would provide Chelsea if the will of supporters to get him to Stamford Bridge was enough.
It would mean Eden Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Charly Musonda and Sanchez being options as inside forwards, with Batshuayi and Sanchez sharing frontman responsibilities.
Sanchez would be the perfect capture.
Diego Costa
Current club: Chelsea
We've already touched on what Costa offers Chelsea. He's scored 20 goals or more in each of the three seasons he has been in west London, which is a fine return for a player who has missed plenty of matches through injury and suspension.
While some fans have had enough of his antics—and this summer hasn't helped—there is still a strong belief from those who support him that Costa can deliver.
He's missed the first few days of training this week having been given an extended break by three days. The belief is that he may not return after the break, such is the reported interest from Atletico Madrid, but then Chelsea would foolish to let Costa depart without a replacement already in situ.
He has been their main goal threat for three years. Before he leaves, Chelsea should assess where they go from here as strikers of his quality are a rare commodity.
Alvaro Morata
Current club: Real Madrid
Of all the players on this list, it seems Morata is the player most likely to be Chelsea's main striker for 2017/18. The Real Madrid man has been strongly linked with the Blues now that Lukaku has joined Manchester United, being seen as a Plan B option for Conte, according to the Evening Standard.
It's a move that excites Chelsea fans, who have been convinced on the back of his form for Juventus and Real Madrid that he has what it takes to score the goals that will win them titles.
Conte was influential in bringing Morata to Juventus on loan in 2014, so there is already a relationship between manager and player from previous years. And with time running out, not to mention options, the Spaniard looks to be one of the best signings Chelsea could make after being disappointed this summer.
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