Antonio Conte: I wouldn't swap Chelsea striker Diego Costa for Romelu Lukaku

Antonio Conte refused to be drawn into answering whether Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku is a better player than Diego Costa, but praised the Everton striker for his goalscoring return this season.

Lukaku, who joined Everton from Chelsea in a permanent deal three years ago, is enjoying a fine season for Ronald Koeman's side and currently sits top of the goalscoring charts with 24 strikes this term.

Costa trails Lukaku by five Premier League goals, although the Chelsea striker endured a tough time in front of goal at the beginning of the year when he scored just three times in the top-flight.

He changed that last Saturday, however, when his brace against Southampton at Stamford Bridge saw the Spain international net his 50th and 51st goals in the Premier League.

Standard Sport understands Conte wants to bring Lukaku back to Chelsea this summer to bolster his attacking options after failing to sign the 23-year-old at the start of the current campaign.

But, ahead of Chelsea's clash with Everton this weekend, the Chelsea boss avoided comparing Costa and Lukaku as he insisted he is happy with his current crop of players.

"For me, my players are the best in the world," the Italian said on Friday.

"I don't change my players for others."

When then asked how Chelsea plan on stopping Lukaku from scoring at Goodison Park this Sunday, Conte replied: "Lukaku is a really good player and he is scoring a lot of goals this season.

"We must pay great attention [to him]. It's always the same. We study the opponent and try and find a solution to stop them for players and the team. We must pay attention to Lukaku and also the other players. They have a lot of good players."

Conte has a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend as Chelsea face an Everton side who have won their last eight Premier League games at Goodison Park.

The Blues comprehensively defeated the Toffees 5-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, however, but Conte insisted taking on Koeman's side in Liverpool will be a different prospect altogether.

"When they play at home, they are stronger," Conte added.

"We all know this but we must think of ourselves and play this game with great physical condition and organisation.

"We must know our tasks - both defensively and offensively."