Diego Costa could be in line to make his 100th Chelsea appearance this weekend, as the Blues host Premier League strugglers Hull City at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard was dropped by Antonio Conte for Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Leicester last time out, following a reported training ground altercation with a fitness coach in the week prior to the match.
Costa had also been the subject of a lucrative £30million-a-year offer from a Chinese Super League club, leading to speculation over his future at the club after rumours suggested the offer had unsettled the Premier League’s joint-top scorer.
Conte, however, dismissed these rumours and indicated Costa had been left out due to a back injury.
The striker joined up with his teammates in training on Tuesday and could make an immediate return to the starting line-up against Hull.
Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro led the line impressively in the victory over Leicester last weekend, but one of the three could miss out this weekend should Costa return to the starting line-up.
Conte’s men head into Sunday’s fixture seven points clear at the top of the Premier League against a side who have not tasted victory against Chelsea since 1988.
Goals from Willian and Costa helped Conte’s men to a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season and kickstarted the Blues’ 13-match winning run in the league.
Here’s who we think will start this weekend.
GK - Thibaut Courtois
Courtois will be looking for back-to-back clean sheets this weekend after a solid performance against Leicester.
RWB - Victor Moses
Moses is such an important player for the Blues and is beginning to make this role his own.
He’s a tireless worker both in defence and attack, and he’s got an end product when he gets forward.
He earned his place in the side with his performance against Hull in the reverse fixture and hasn’t looked back since. He starts on Sunday.
CB - Cesar Azpilicueta
He couldn’t quite recreate the brilliant volley he scored against Leicester in the EFL Cup last weekend in the league, but it was another consistent performance from Azpilicueta last week.
More of the same against Hull.
CB - David Luiz
Luiz continues to prove his doubters wrong this season with a string of consistent performances at the back.
All that’s been missing is a 40-yard free-kick now. Maybe he’ll have one in the locker for this weekend.
CB - Gary Cahill
Captain Cahill led the side brilliantly against Leicester. He ensured the Blues were completely focused during the match and emphasised the spirit and desire within the team.
He looks determined to keep his place in the side and will be looking for another clean sheet against Hull.
LWB - Marcos Alonso
Alonso produced his best performance in a Chelsea shirt against Leicester and it was at a crucial time for the wing-back. His place in the side was beginning to come under scrutiny after a couple of defensive errors, but he fully deserves his place in the side this weekend.
CM - Nemanja Matic
Matic went under the radar a little against Leicester, despite a very solid performance. He broke up play well and dictated the tempo of the match.
He’ll be looking to dominate the middle of the park once again against Hull.
CM - N'Golo Kante
Like Moses, Kante works tirelessly for the Blues and he did so again against his former club last weekend. Expect another similar performance on Sunday.
RW - Pedro
This is where it gets interesting. Willian performed well against Leicester, but Pedro has been sublime this season and produced another excellent performance.
The sumptuous flick in the build-up to his goal was an indicator of the Spaniard’s confidence and he had the finish to match it. He’s doing more than enough to earn his place in the side this season.
LW - Eden Hazard
Hazard led the line very well in Costa’s absence, and showed good awareness to assist Alonso’s first goal. He’ll be disappointed he didn’t grab one himself, however, so could be eager to hit the back of the net this weekend.
ST - Diego Costa
Costa is back, he’ll make his 100th appearance, and hopefully, there will be one or two goals from the Spaniard to mark the occasion.