It is going to be tough for Chelsea to win the league without Diego Costa.
Yes, they are a fine all-round outfit, but Costa is one of two players they really cannot do without. The other being Eden Hazard.
You could also argue that N’Golo Kante has made the an equal effect at the base of midfield since arriving from Leicester City but, in terms of scoring the goals that win games, it is Costa and Hazard.
Controlling the fallout from his reported argument with Costa will be the biggest test of Antonio Conte’s managerial skill so far.
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■ Premier League round-up: Chelsea manage just fine in Costa-less match
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He got Costa playing to his potential this season, with his anger toned down.
Now he needs to find a way to bring the Brazilian back into the fold and take ideas of a move to China out of his head.
If he cannot do that, then at least act quickly, ditch the Brazilian and buy a replacement or give big summer signing Michy Batshuayi his chance.
Hazard can do a job up front as a false No 9 for Chelsea, but if he plays there every week then teams will work him out and nullify his threat. And Chelsea’s title bid will falter.
Conte cannot afford to let his dispute with Costa drag on past the January transfer window.
He needs to act decisively.
Tottenham target?
Saido Berahino’s future will be one of the stories of the transfer window.
The West Bromwich Albion striker has played four league games all season and spent time on a weight loss programme to try to get fit enough to get back in the first team.
He has not been the same player since West Brom rejected a £23 million (Dh103m) from Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the 2015 summer transfer window.
That is the type of potential he has — he is a highly rated player and was on the verge of a full England call up when his career derailed.
He is capable, in this writer’s mind, of scoring 20 goals a season if he played every match in his best position.
The likes of Stoke City, West Ham and Everton have all been linked with a move for the forward.
But would he not he make a decent signing for Tottenham?
The London side missed Harry Kane’s prowess when he was out injured and Vincent Janssen, the man bought as his backup, has failed to impress.
Tottenham wanted Berahino two seasons ago and, if they can get him back to the form of 2014/15, they could give themselves another terrific attacking option while taking some of the weight off Kane’s shoulders.
Berahino could play out wide, step in when Kane needs resting or give Spurs the option of playing two up front.
Manager Mauro Pochettino appears to not have faith in Janssen and the Dutchman’s confidence is low.
Time to take a chance on Berahino. It could be a title-winning transfer.
Carroll shows there is life without Payet
A lot of credit must go to West Ham’s Andy Carroll for criticising his teammate Dimitri Payet after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Carroll, scorer of a bicycle kick that might end up being the goal of the season, told Payet, who has asked to leave West Ham, that “no player is bigger than the club”.
It is true and West Ham will be encouraged by the second-half performance that showed they can cope without Payet.
Payet is not bigger than the club, but he does hold a lot of power. He does not want to play for West Ham and has effectively gone on strike.
He will get his way and, unless he is going to sign for another English club, we’ve seen the last of him in the Premier League.
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