FLORENCE, ITALY - MARCH 27: Head Coach Antonio Conte looks on during the Italy training session at the club's training ground at Coverciano on March 27, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

FLORENCE, ITALY - MARCH 27: Head Coach Antonio Conte looks on during the Italy training session at the club's training ground at Coverciano on March 27, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Chelsea FC

5 steps to solving Chelsea’s striker situation

by Tyler Strauss
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates after he scores to make it 0-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates after he scores to make it 0-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

Step 1: Retain Diego Costa

Chelsea must keep hold of their talisman for next season. End of story. There are countless rumors linking him half way around the world and the Blues cannot afford to let them become a reality.

While the Spanish striker is far from keeping out of controversy, the positives with Costa far outweigh the negatives.

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He’s a prolific scorer. We can see that from this season. In 2016, he’s been Chelsea’s biggest goal threat by far, with no one looking remotely as deadly.

Furthermore, he understands how to lead the line. He runs the channels, makes smart runs, and battles defenders for position. What has to be the best part of the Spaniard is that he is clinical. He doesn’t usually miss easy chances, something that can’t be said of Chelsea strikers since the first departure of Didier Drogba from the club (i.e. Torres/Eto/Ba/etc.).

I think that Costa represents Conte’s managerial style on the pitch quite well. He is a born competitor and is willing to push the envelope to win matches. This is the type of style that Conte craves and will likely support.

This backing from his manager will allow Diego Costa to play on the edge and terrorize defenses the way we’ve seen him do in his two years in England.

Step one for Conte: Keep Diego Costa in West London.

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