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The relationship between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Diego Costa has shown signs of deterioration in the recent past.

According to The Independent, the Blues have given a deadline of two weeks to the Spaniard. If he does not perform to the club's expectation, then Chelsea will be looking for first choice strikers in the upcoming January transfer window. 

Chelsea wants Costa to help the Blues to seal a place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. They are close to qualifying for the next round but in that case, they will have to outclass FC Porto in their next fixture of the Champions League, who have been in top form this season.

Costa has scored only seven goals in the last 10 months and that is not something a gaffer would expect from his main strike option. Costa, who helped Chelsea lift the EPL title in the last season after five years, has not played to his potential or high standards he set for himself after his performance in the last season of the EPL.

Chelsea, who are currently placed in the 15th position in the English Premier League (EPL), are desperately trying to resurrect their campaign. It is indeed disheartening for the manager, club, players and last but not the least, the fans that being the defending champions, one simply cannot take this lacklustre performance. 

However, they have somewhat turned around after a couple of good wins in the UEFA Champions League in the recent past and a win against Norwich City in the EPL is absolutely vital. It will require immense hard work, determination and focus to gather their mindset and try and win as many games as they can in the ongoing season of the EPL. 

One of the rumours spread during this transfer window suggests that Chelsea are eyeing a move for Robin Van Persie on loan from Fenerbahce. The Blues are also lining up a bid for Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid and Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. 

Reports suggest that Van Persie is unsettled in Turkey and will be available on loan in the winter transfer window. However, Chelsea will be reluctant to go into the forthcoming transfer window in January with the intention of buying pedigree players who are mostly not available. Also, Mourinho had said earlier this year that he has not asked the club for more funds as he would like to continue with a mostly unaltered team combination that won the EPL title in the last season with so much ease.