Frank Lampard talks of a potential replacement for Diego Costa.

Frank Lampard has given his opinion on the potential signing of Romelu Lukaku as a replacement for Diego Costa this summer.

Lukaku has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge for the majority of the past season after a source close to the player revealed that he felt that he had "unfinished business" here and was pushing for a return to Chelsea.

In recent weeks we have read reports that a personal terms have been agreed and Everton are now resigned to losing the player who had led their line for the past three seasons scoring 71 goals in just 133 appearances (20, 25 then 26 goals last season).

So to Frank Lampard, he was asked of reports that Lukaku was on his back to Chelsea as a replacement for Costa and he said:

"He (Costa) will be very difficult to replace, there’s no doubt about that.

If he stays, brilliant, if he doesn’t then you’ll have to go to the top end of world strikers to replace him

He is an all-round physical presence with the quality to get you goals, that’s not easy to find in the modern game. If Chelsea do lose him, they will have to make sure they get the right signing to keep going forward.

I think Lukaku would be a great option and the only thing that Chelsea have to look at is the inflated market that is around now which is very tough and they will take that into account.

In terms of an all-round striker, proven to have scored goals with Everton last year and the last two or three seasons in the Premier League, he would be an option for them.

But there are others so I wouldn’t want to try to second guess where they are looking around. I’m sure they will look at the player in the same type as Diego Costa.

They need a physical presence, they got a lot of skillful players behind and will want to find someone who can replicate what Costa did: a physical presence and also give them 20-plus goals a season."

Reading between the lines here, I get the impression that Lampard has the same opinion of Lukaku that most of us have in that he doesn't use his strength or power anywhere near enough to become an influence as Diego Costa is and Didier Drogba was.

You think of both of them and they are not the biggest but they have an influence on their direct opponents to out muscle them, to dominate them and to become the focal point of the side when you reach moments in games when you need to get rid of the ball and play it up to them. Or if you are looking for them to create something from nothing just as Drogba did time and time again, to when Diego Costa won us the game at home to West Brom last season by doing exactly that!

Lukaku's goalscoring record is there for all to see but there are real concerns about his ability to lead the line as they do. Chelsea's team is built around that focal point up front and Lukaku will need to develop his game when he comes back in order to become a success and have the same impact.

Lampard is spot on but also most importantly, has not closed the door on Costa or someone else coming in. Alvaro Morata anyone?

(Article source: Here)