Steve Nicol believes Alvaro Morata represents Chelsea's best bet of finding a striker capable of replacing Diego Costa
Steve Nicol has told Chelsea that Alvaro Morata is the best natural replacement for Diego Costa.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is thought to be keen to sign a new striker this summer to replace the controversial Spain international.
However, the Blues have struggled to make any attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window so far after losing out to bitter rivals Manchester United in the race to sign Everton star Romelu Lukaku.
Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Torino star Andrea Belotti have both been touted as potential targets for the Premier League champions.
Chelsea were heavily linked with a move to sign Morata last summer before the 24-year-old opted to return to La Liga giants Real Madrid in a £29m deal.
Conte is still thought to be interested in signing the former Juventus man to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
Speaking to ESPN FC about Chelsea’s potential options to replace Costa, former Liverpool defender Nicol urged Conte to bring in Morata as a natural replacement for the Spanish star.
“If I were Chelsea, I would take Morata,” Nicol said on Monday.
“Of the three players, he is the guy who fits the Costa mould more than any of the other two. He will score goals, he will hold it up and link play.”
Chelsea finished seven points clear of their closest title rivals Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
The Blues lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
