Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes that thanks to Chelsea’s amazing scouting program, the Blues have already lined up a plan B or a plan C should Diego Costa’s imminent move to China pull through.
Schwarzer has now retired from his footballing career, and played two seasons for the Blues between 2013 and 2015 after long-term spells with Middlesbrough and Fulham.
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The Australian goalkeeper is confident that Chelsea will have it coming if Costa decides to quit his career at Stamford Bridge. Money won’t be the problem either as Chelsea have already collected some strong funds from Oscar’s sale to Shanghai SIPG (£60m) this month, and the £80m offer from Tianjin Quanjian for Costa is right there on the table.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic (that Costa will leave) at all. All these clubs have enormous scouting networks.
There was a lot of players linked with Chelsea over the summer and now again in January. They will always have a Plan B and a Plan C.
So, if the worst case scenario does happen and he does move on, they’ll get as much money as they can and they’ll have someone lined up to bring in and replace him.
– Mark Schwarzer, Daily Express
Last summer Chelsea were linked with big money moves with Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and Everton hitman Romelu Lukaku, but didn’t have the need to sign a new frontman after Conte’s brilliant work with rejuvenating Costa to his best form since his Atletico Madrid days.
In case the Spaniard leaves in the coming weeks, summer signing Michy Batshuayi will be the only natural striker in the team, but is likely to be replaced by either a new signing, or still be held as a back-up for Eden Hazard, who played instead of Costa against Leicester last night.