Diego Costa’s recent comments about wanting a move away from Chelsea last year only heighten the likelihood of the Spaniard leaving Stamford Bridge this summer. After flirting with China in January, Costa has seen his form fluctuate and the Blues may be wise to cash in on their fiery striker before the issue grows to something more significant.

Antonio Conte is going to need to bolster his attacking options this summer regardless of departures and links have already begun. Two of the most prominent names in gossip columns around Europe are Moussa Dembele and their former Belgian wonderkid, Romelu Lukaku.

Dembele and Lukaku have largely been considered an either/or scenario up to this point. Chelsea, though, should be pondering the potential of bringing both of them to the club. A fearsome duo that could change the course of the team, particularly if Costa is to force his way to China or Atletico.

Double Loss

It is not just Costa who could be considering his future this summer. Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea’s expensive 2016 summer signing, will be wondering if his career is going to stagnate further at the Bridge.

The Belgian prodigy has failed to make any meaningful impact on the team aside from cup matches and looks set to remain in a tedious bench role. As the only two natural centre forwards in the current Chelsea first team squad, that would leave them desperately short. It would require at least two strikers to be brought into the club, even if Bertrand Traore returns to the first team fray.

If they need two, can you think of a better pairing than Dembele and Lukaku?

Long-term benefit

Romelu Lukaku is an immensely experienced, physically indestructible 23-year-old. Moussa Dembele is an English football experienced 20-year-old who has been prolific in the Scottish Premier League this season.

These two players are going to – barring injury or a significant shock to their career path – going to improve and improve at a dramatic rate. Neither have enjoyed a spell in a team with as much attacking and creative quality as this Chelsea side, which only goes to show how much more effective they could become under the stewardship of Conte.

Strike Pairing

Although Conte has favoured a front three this season that has enabled him to field Eden Hazard and Pedro in narrower roles, the prospect of Dembele and Lukaku in the final third together would be too good not to consider.

They may be similar in many aspects, but forming a two-pronged front line would give Chelsea endlessly more options and may create yet more space for Hazard to weave his magic from deeper positions.