Premier League leaders Chelsea stamped their authority on the title race with a 2-0 win over Hull last weekend to move eight points clear at the top.

Blues boss Antonio Conte recalled star striker Diego Costa to the starting eleven after he was left out of the side that beat Leicester ten days ago, and the Spaniard got right back into the swing of things with his 15th goal of the season just before half time.

The hosts made it two nine minutes from time when Gary Cahill headed home Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick on a weekend that saw only one of their title challengers, Arsenal, pick up all three points.

Chelsea’s 18th win of the campaign means that they are eight points clear of the Gunners in second with just 16 games to go, and very much in the driving seat in a bid to regain the Premier League title come May.

Nonetheless, Conte may feel that his squad needs reinforcing in the next week of the transfer window to maintain their high level of performance over the coming months, so could dip into the winter window to strengthen his side.

Thus, here is what the dream Chelsea spine could look like come the end of the month…

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois has returned to the level that saw the goalkeeper help Chelsea win the Premier League back in 2014/15.

The Belgian international was one of many Blues players that struggled under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink last season, but this term he has been in fine form, and has made several key saves as part of a Chelsea defence that have conceded just 15 goals in the league, the lowest of any side.

The 24-year-old’s save to deny Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt last month was outstanding, and indicative of the excellent season Courtois is having between the sticks.

David Luiz

Many saw David Luiz’s return to Chelsea in the summer as nothing more than a panic buy after the club missed out on their key defensive targets.

And, even if it was, it hasn’t turned out too badly for the Blues, as the Brazilian international has been nothing short of outstanding this season.

The 29-year-old has welcomed the responsibility of the central role of Conte’s back three with open arms, and he looks and plays more like a defender now than he ever has done.

Luiz is also growing into a real leader at the back for Blues, and will be key to their title challenge as the season progresses.

Steven N’Zonzi

Conte has been chopping and changing Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas at times over the last few weeks and, with the latter’s future still uncertain, the Chelsea boss may consider reinforcements in the central midfield department.

And one man he has reportedly been keeping tabs on is Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi, formerly of Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.

The 28-year-old made the move to Spain in 2015 after over 100 Premier League appearances for Stoke, and immediately set about nailing down a first team place for the La Liga side, playing 47 times for the club in his first season last time out.

N’Zonzi was part of the side that beat Liverpool in the Europa League final last May, and his recurrent impressive displays in the midfield have attracted interest from many around Europe.

One of which is Chelsea and, based on how highly-rated the 28-year-old was when at Stoke, and how much he appears to have improved at Sevilla, he could be the perfect signing to bolster the Blues’ midfield.

Diego Costa

Diego Costa all but banished any lingering concerns over his Chelsea future with a fine display in their 2-0 victory over Hull last weekend.

The Spanish international was left out of the Blues squad for the trip to Leicester ten days ago after reports emerged of a big money offer from China, but Conte restored him to the starting eleven against Hull, and he repaid his manager’s faith with his 15th league goal of the campaign.

It was a committed display from Costa who was cheered throughout by the Stamford Bridge faithful, and it also highlighted how important a player he is for Chelsea in their bid to regain the Premier League title this season.