Joe Cole believes that Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is the perfect man to lead the line for Chelsea should Diego Costa decide to leave the club this summer.
The 24-year-old striker has caught the attention of a number of top European sides following his exploits at Goodison Park last season.
The Manchester Evening News recently reported that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are interested in signing the Belgian with Manchester United and Chelsea both keeping tabs on the striker.
Lukaku was in sensational form for the Toffees as he scored a total of 26 goals and provided seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions during the last campaign.
Speaking to Goal, former Chelsea star Cole is convinced that the Belgian can produce the goods at Stamford Bridge next season as the Premier League champions look set to lose Costa in the summer.
“Obviously the Costa thing has come out. Conte has told him that he wants him out so you would be looking at a striker,” he said.
“Lukaku, there’s a market for him, and you are competing for players. I like Lukaku. I’d take Lukaku, he is like for like with Costa, but they only need one or two players and just keep the continuity going.
“I don’t know his character so it is hard to say [whether the comeback could affect him], but I would say is that the pressure is different when you play for Chelsea, rather than Everton. He is younger [than Costa], that’s in his favour.”
Costa looks to be on his way out of the Premier League after revealing manager Antonio Conte told him that he is no longer required at Chelsea.
The Mirror recently reported that the striker could be set for a return to La Liga side Atletico Madrid as the Spanish side are preparing a £26million bid for Costa.
The 28-year-old has been instrumental for Chelsea since joining them in 2014 as he has scored 58 goals for the club and helped secure two league titles in just three seasons.