The snarling centre-forward tyrant, Diego Costa, is a splitter of opinions, a troublesome character, a pantomime villain and really is box office entertainment. For all of his niggling, his aggressive play and nastiness, the Spaniard is a terrific centre-forward – a truly elite goal scorer with the ability to dominate any centre-half in world football.
However, Chelsea must be growing increasingly tired of his antics. As much success as it brought them in 2014/15, the ex-Atletico Madrid striker is seemingly suspended more often than he is scoring now. Whether it’s justified or not, Costa is now a target for the FA and that means that his every move is watched with hawk-like precision. He cannot step out of line; but he does.
Each time Costa crosses that line he is slapped with an arbitrary suspension and the Blues must be wondering how they can continue like this. Does he suppress his natural game? Should he move back to Spain?
Maybe, just maybe, they need to sign a striker to compete, or replace, the Spaniard, and here are FIVE options…
Gonzalo Higuain
Even before his stunning final day exploits, Gonzalo Higuain had had a truly jaw-dropping season. Scoring 46% of Napoli’s goals in Serie A this season, the former Real Madrid smashed record after record and finished with 36 league goals.
Higuain would command an eye-watering transfer fee at the moment and, considering his age, it would be a rather bold transfer. However, if Costa was sold, it is the sort of move Conte may want to make as a statement of intent. The Argentine has always been highly-regarded, but this is the highest his stock has ever reached.
Christian Benteke
Benteke’s status as a ‘flop’ at Liverpool is questionable, at best. His actual return per 90 minutes for goals is not as bad as many would have you believe and he has, more than anyone, been a victim of the change of style.
Although Antonio Conte equally demands high intensity play, the role of a powerful, back to goal striker would make far more sense in his squad. Benteke has elements of Drogba about him when at his best and he could work as a focal point for the Chelsea attack. Liverpool clearly wouldn’t be keen to sell to a rival and, although it wouldn’t go down well with the Chelsea fans, there is definitely some logic behind looking towards the towering Belgian.
Wilfried Bony
Bony’s torrid time at Manchester City was inevitable in many ways.
Seldom does a striker move from mid-table mediocrity to success at a top club, particularly when competing with a star like Sergio Aguero. The Ivorian centre-forward was exceptional at Swansea and people seem to have quickly forgotten that. His remarkable strength, intelligent movement and clever passing has gone out the window because he hasn’t settled in Manchester.
The ex-Swansea striker has all the credentials to work in Chelsea’s style. Back to goal play is crucial and he can, if needed, battle aerially. Signing a rival flop wouldn’t be popular, but Bony would be the ideal man to come off the bench to support Costa.
Aritz Aduriz
You’ve got to be a pretty good player to score 20 La Liga goals and Aduriz certainly is.
They don’t bloom much later than this Athletic Bilbao forward, but his remarkable season in the red and white of the Basque team has raised eyebrows around the world. Are players being put out to grass at too young an age?
Although he is 35, Aduriz could be used by Chelsea for a season or two to support Costa whilst they develop a younger player – maybe even Bertrand Traore.
Mauro Icardi
Like Costa, Icardi has a reputation for being a rather troublesome individual.
His 16 goals in this season’s Serie A campaign reflected his importance to Internazionale. Icardi has an all-round game that allows him to play in a number of different roles as the centre-forward, much like Costa, and a fiery competitive streak that makes him an ideal player in an intense team like Antonio Conte’s.
Having only turned 23 in February, Icardi still has his best years ahead of him and could yet develop into one of the best in Europe.