Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi backed to replace Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge

Former Chelsea forward Tore Andre Flo has backed Michy Batshuayi to 'step up a level' at Stamford Bridge next season after enduring a rather frustrating first campaign in the Premier League.

Batshuayi, 23, joined the Blues from Marseille for £33m in the summer and while he did score the goal that secured Chelsea the Premier League title against West Bromwich Albion on Friday (12 May), the Belgium international has only started one top-flight game for Antonio Conte's side.

Despite being confined to the substitutes' bench for the whole of Chelsea's league campaign, Flo thinks Batshuayi could use the goal against West Brom to revive his career in west London and believes he could be the man to replace Diego Costa, should he depart Chelsea for the Chinese Super League in the summer.

"He is at a very good club and obviously scoring that goal must have boosted his confidence," Flo told talkSPORT. "He has shown he could be a really good player and hopefully he can step up a level and maybe take [Diego] Costa's spot.

"He seems to be a very popular player among his teammates. He works hard in training and has a great attitude."

The Blues may have enjoyed a largely straightforward jaunt to Premier League glory, but the Chelsea hierarchy are intent on bolstering their ranks during the summer transfer window as they look to build a squad capable of challenging domestically and in Europe.

Despite their penchant to spend big, Flo does not think his former club need to go out and splash the cash in the summer but does expect a couple of new recruits to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

"I'm sure Chelsea will buy players but they already have a great squad," Flo added. "If Chelsea don't lose any players they will have a great squad to go into next season. Chelsea always look to buy a couple of players so I am sure we will see a couple of new faces too."