Diego Costa is a better Premier League striker than Morata - Phil Neville

Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Phil Neville believes Diego Costa is 'better suited to the English game' than Alvaro Morata, who joined as his potential replacement at Chelsea from Real Madrid earlier in the summer.

The Blues reached a formal agreement for Diego Costa's sale on Thursday afternoon after they finalised an undisclosed fee in excess of £50m with Atletico Madrid.

Costa is expected to seal his move to Atleti in January with medical and personal terms likely to be sorted out in advance, but Neville still feels that the 28-year-old would fare much better than Morata with the demands of the English game.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said: "I would rather have Costa than Morata in my team at this moment in time, to be honest with you. I think he is better suited to the English game." 

"Morata is different, he thrives off crosses. Costa you can stick him up there on his own, he will take on the whole of the back four, from the left back to the right back to the centre-back. Morata is someone who is good in the air, but he has not got that nasty character and streak that Costa has got."

Morata has notched three goals in his opening five outings for the Blues, but he appeared to struggle during the goalless draw against Arsenal last weekend as he was involved in a physical battle with Shkodran Mustafi.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard could make amends during this afternoon's trip to Staffordshire where he will be up against a Potters backline which is unlikely to back down from challenges.

Chelsea are currently third on the Premier League table with 10 points - three behind Manchester United and Manchester City, who occupy the top spot with identical records.