Speaking ahead of Chelsea's trip to Goodison Park on Sunday, where they will face an in-form Everton side, Antonio Conte came out in defence of his players, saying that he thought they were "the best in the world".
It has been a big week for the ladder leaders, who defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 to qualify for the FA Cup final and moved seven points clear at the top of the league table with their win over the Saints.
The Belgium worldwide leads the goalscoring chart of the Premier League with 24 goals, while Costa has 19.
"I think that it's impossible for me to take this responsibility, but not only for Eden but for every single player", Conte told reporters at a news conference on Friday. "In this team I saw four, five players with good prospects". I know how hard it is to make the next step, even if you win the title. "I don't think it's possible, no [keeping Hazard if Madrid make an offer]". But not only for us, also for Tottenham.
The Belgium global has once again proved to be a key player in the Blues' latest charge for the Premier League title, finding the net 15 times and assisting five more. However, the visitors know this is a huge game for them and the Toffees have little left to play for so I think Chelsea are going to edge it. "I don't change them with others".
However, when asked who'd Conte prefer to have upfront in his team, the Italian tactician was very respectful backing his own players to always finish above the rest.
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Koeman said: "We like to keep the best players but we know that it is hard".
"But we are ready".
"When, for sure, you have to play with this target [of the title] it's not simple".
"Our last game of the season is Arsenal away and still we have the possibility to catch them".
"But also we must praise Tottenham because they are playing very well and having a great season in the same way like Chelsea".
"I don't understand if he [Lukaku] will remain, we'll see what the results are at the end of the season", Koeman said. I didn't work with him. I repeat: we've worked a lot to arrive at this point fighting for the title.
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