Diego Costa’s Chelsea career appears to be over (Picture: Getty)

Diego Costa would be a better talisman for Chelsea than Alvaro Morata, according to Ray Wilkins.

Spanish striker Costa spent the majority of the summer in Brazil after Antonio Conte informed him via text that he was free to leave the club.

The 28-year-old, who scored 24 Premier League goals for the champions last season, was hoping to secure a return to Atletico Madrid but a move failed to materialise.

Costa is still expected to leave the Blues in the coming months, however, with Conte unwilling to offer him an opportunity to revive his career in the English capital.

Alvaro Morata, signed from Real Madrid as Costa’s long-term replacement, has impressed since arriving at Chelsea but Wilkins believes Costa holds the edge over the Spaniard.

Alvaro Morata has impressed for his new club (Picture: Getty)

‘When I look at Morata and Costa, I see a better footballer in Morata,’ former Chelsea coach Wilkins told Sky Sports.

‘He’s got a better control, better movement, probably quicker, but when I look at the beast in Costa and what he gives you, he upsets people.

‘I would much sooner have Costa than Morata. The question is, why haven’t we got both?

‘Costa should be at Stamford Bridge, we should be using both of them and then we would have a proper strike-force.’

Former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins (Picture: Getty)

Wilkins added: ‘I cannot for the life of me see why Costa is still in Brazil playing five-a-side with his mates on a beach.

‘Whether you fall out will someone or not you’re still a Chelsea footballer and he should be back here in London.’

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