Eden Hazard To Replace Diego Costa For Chelsea’s Game At Leicester City

Diego Costa will reportedly be replaced up front by Eden Hazard this weekend as Chelsea take on Leicester City without their unsettled star striker.

The fiery Spaniard has been at the centre of a big bust-up with Blues manager Antonio Conte due to a disagreement over his fitness ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium.

Chelsea must now plan for life without Costa as he may miss not only the Leicester game, but possibly seek a shock transfer away from the club this winter.

The 28-year-old has been offered to clubs in the Chinese Super League by his agent Jorge Mendes, who has ties with a number of clubs in the Far East.

Hazard can play up front and has done so recently for Chelsea, with Conte using him as a ‘false 9’ in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Boxing Day, when Costa was suspended.

According to ESPN, the Italian has decided on using him there again this weekend, instead of Michy Batshuayi.

Still, the Belgian winger lacks Costa’s natural finishing ability as well as physical strength in that centre-forward role that has proven so effective for the west Londoners so far this season.