With Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi both possibly leaving the club this summer, Chelsea are snooping around for a centre-forward. Romelu Lukaku has been touted for a golden return to Stamford Bridge, but it is Alvaro Morata that seems to receive the lion's share of column inches.

Antonio Conte has clearly not taken to Batshuayi and his row with Costa seems to have left a longer mark on the performance of the Spaniard that most may have expected.

China is calling for Costa this summer and that will surely force Chelsea to spend big on another striker, they have no other choice.

Morata continues to be the favoured one if the rumour mill is to be believed. The Spaniard has been nothing more than second fiddle at Real Madrid this season, however, and does not boast a track record nearly as exciting as Costa or even Batshuayi.

There are a few options about for Chelsea, maybe Morata isn’t their man…

Track Record

Only once in his career has Alvaro Morata notched 10 goals in a league season. Admittedly that is this season, having played primarily as a substitute at Real Madrid.

Morata’s quality is hardly in question, but he would not arrive at Stamford Bridge with the pedigree of a striker ready to take charge and lead the line. As a supplement to Costa he could work, as a direct replacement, he would seem starkly insufficient.

He would not only be a risk, he would put additional pressure on his teammates to find the net.

World and Oysters

The world is Chelsea’s oyster in the striker market this summer. With the likely riches from the sale of Diego Costa and with the club desperate to strengthen their squad ahead of another Champions League adventure, they should not settle for anything other than the perfect forward.

Romelu Lukaku is the obvious name to mention, but Chelsea really do have a plethora of potential strikers they could snipe this summer.

Money is barely an issue – especially after some of their recent sales – and it is pretty tricky to justify Morata as the best plausible option to fill the large boots of Costa.

Physical Presence

The Spaniard would be a stark change from the formula that has brought such success behind the snarling Diego Costa.

A clever mover and smart linker of play, yes, but Morata cannot physically occupy defenders in the same way as Costa, Romelu Lukaku or even Michy Batshuayi.

It would demand a change in the build-up from Chelsea, something that presents a real risk for a club who have enjoyed such a great season.