The Top Flight
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Chelsea have attacking dilemma with Costa exit

By Matthew Bowers

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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The fiery, hot-headed striker has come forward with information that he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge. As the striker market is very thin this offseason, the Blues will have a tough time finding a replacement for Costa.

A player like Diego Costa does not come around very often. For the last three years, he has been widely considered to be one of the Premier Leagues top strikers. Coincidentally, the other striker frequently involved in this discussion is Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

Way back in the 2010-11 season, Costa returned to Atletico Madrid after bouncing around in Spain for a few years. Playing as the second option behind Aguero, he didn’t get much playing time that year. After having success with Atleti and winning the Spanish title in 2014, Costa transferred to his current home in west London.

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The current Chelsea manager has a very intense and structured approach to football. Antonio Conte does not want any player who thinks he is bigger than the club. Since the Italian took the reigns from Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, Costa seems to be the only player he has had issues with. This weekend, Conte let Costa know he will not be playing for the Blues next season through text message.

Regardless of the seemingly petty nature of this move, the Pride of London have a big problem on their hands. Clearly, the brass and Conte himself have a plan or else they would not have let Costa go. In the Premier League, big problems equal big money. Fortunately, Chelsea do indeed have big money.

As previously mentioned, Costa is a unique center-forward. While he doesn’t possess the ice-cold finishing skills of Harry Kane or Sergio Aguero, he does have a strong frame and powerful presence on the ball. He is relentless from kickoff to the whistle, and his ability to shrug off defenders and force the ball into the net will ensure he lands at another huge club.

The Blues didn’t have any problem scoring goals this term, with Costa contributing 20. Romelu Lukaku of Everton is Chelsea’s favorite to replace Costa. With his similar big frame and powerful attacking style, the Belgian would fit right in at his former club. Lukaku has done nothing but improve since he arrived to Goodison Park in 2013.

However, there is one small problem. Everton clearly want to keep their star man, who scored 25 goals in the Premier League alone this campaign. The Liverpool club have placed an insane $80 million price tag on the striker. Other than Lukaku, the striker market is fairly desolate.

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Chelsea proved last season they are far and away the best side in England. They are facing a very fixable problem, although the solution doesn’t look like it will come soon. At this elite level of football in Europe, organizations and managers are forced to make very tough decisions.

Costa is reportedly interested in transferring to Milan or back to Atletico de Madrid.

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