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Chelsea: Five strikers that could replace Diego Costa in the summer

By Christopher Godfrey

DARMSTADT, GERMANY - DECEMBER 18: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Muenchen reacts during to the Bundesliga match between SV Darmstadt 98 and Bayern Muenchen at Stadion am Boellenfalltor on December 18, 2016 in Darmstadt, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images)
DARMSTADT, GERMANY - DECEMBER 18: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Muenchen reacts during to the Bundesliga match between SV Darmstadt 98 and Bayern Muenchen at Stadion am Boellenfalltor on December 18, 2016 in Darmstadt, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN -Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN -Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /

Number one: Alvaro Morata, Real Madrid

Yes, I know, shock! It’s not Alexis Sanchez (he’s being linked to a Chelsea move but come on, Arsenal aren’t going to give him up to Chelsea).

Morata is the most likely option as Conte knows Morata from his time as Juventus manager when Morata was on loan there.

Conte is an admirer of the Spanish striker and tried to sign him in the last transfer window before turning his attention to Lukaku instead. Morata stated that Chelsea tried to sign him at the start of the season which could’ve made him the most expensive Spanish player ever.

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However, Real Madrid decided to keep him despite a reported €70m (euros) offer from Chelsea as Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane believed he could use him.

Although, Real Madrid have not been starting Morata as Benzema has been keeping him out of the first team.

Morata is obviously not happy sitting on the bench (unlike certain other Madrid players cough James cough Rodriguez). He has only made 12 appearances in the league since joining the side.

He has scored nine goals in all competitions for the Los Blancos but his opportunities have largely come from off the bench.

The striker has a similar build to Costa but is quicker. He’s also adept at holding the ball up. This seems like a common theme throughout the strikers Conte has identified as his targets.

I remember watching Morata cause mayhem for the Bayern Munich defenders with his pace and dribbling for Juventus in the Champions League.

He would fit perfectly in Conte’s system and would link-up well with Eden hazard and fellow Spanish team-mate Pedro.

Next: Chelsea ready to beat Juventus for Real Madrid star

Morata’s agent Jorge Mendes could help Chelsea to sign Morata as he’s the agent for Diego Costa. Mendes would probably owe Chelsea some goodwill in return for his big paycheck from navigating Costa’s sale.

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