Jamie Redknapp claims Chelsea miss 29-year-old to score ‘ugly’ goals
The former Liverpool midfielder suggests that Chelsea really miss Diego Costa up front
Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Chelsea are still struggling without Diego Costa.
The Spain international scored 20 times to help Antonio Conte get his hands on the Premier League title in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Costa won two Premier League crowns during a three-season stay at the west London club and the controversial striker scored 59 times in 120 games in all competitions.
However, Conte allowed Costa to move to Chelsea on a season-long loan back in September, with a view to a permanent move at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
Chelsea signed Alvaro Morata in a £58m deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid in the summer transfer window and the Spanish striker has proven a hit at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old has scored 11 times in 24 games in all competitions to hit the ground running at the defending Premier League champions.
However, former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Redknapp believes Chelsea are still missing Costa’s influence up front despite Morata’s positive impact at Stamford Bridge.
“Costa gave Chelsea the edge,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“They had so many chances and efforts on goal [against Everton], but Chelsea didn’t do enough. They need someone capable of scoring an ugly goal.”
Chelsea are sitting in third place in the Premier League table and 13 points behind leaders Manchester City but have played one game more than the Citizens.
The Blues have won the title in two of the past three seasons.
