Jamie Redknapp believes Chelsea need to keep their talisman Diego Costa if Antonio Conte’s side are going to win the Premier League title.

The Spain international’s future has been a source of relentless speculation over the past fortnight after Costa was linked with a potential big-money move to China.

The 28-year-old centre-forward missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win against defending Premier League champions Leicester City last weekend due to a back injury amid reports of a falling out with manager Conte.

Costa scored 14 times in 19 games before the Spanish forward failed to find the back of the net in Chelsea’s 2-0 loss at title rivals Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Redknapp likened Costa to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as the former Liverpool captain highlighted the importance of the centre-forward to Conte’s side.

“At times he is unmanageable. He is a frightening prospect. He is vital to anything Chelsea want to do this year,” Redknapp said.

“They’ve always had that talisman – a Drogba or a Costa. They have managed it really well because it was a tough situation.”

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Chelsea finished in tenth place in the Premier League table last season.

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Costa moved to the west London side in a £32m deal from Atletico Madrid in 2014.

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