Despite a bleak free agent market, some suggest Chelsea might consider a nostalgic move for Diego Costa as a stopgap at centre-forward if they can’t quickly convert Christopher Nkunku into an effective No.9.
Si Phillips takes a tongue-in-cheek look at Chelsea’s options in the free agent market amid ongoing concerns over their attacking dilemma. With manager Enzo Maresca forced to rely on Christopher Nkunku as a makeshift centre-forward—despite Nkunku’s tendency to drop deep—Phillips questions whether it might be worth dipping into the free agent pool. However, the market appears sparse, with most available names either not fitting the required profile or lacking the necessary attributes. The piece reviews several names including Maxi Gomez, Wissam Ben Yedder, Mariano Diaz, Carlos Vela, and Lucas Perez, but ultimately suggests that Diego Costa might be the only viable option, even if his form and fitness are in doubt. While Costa may be considered a nostalgic option from Chelsea’s past glories, Phillips warns that relying on him would be a risky gamble compared to coaching Nkunku into a more effective No.9—a task that might be too demanding given the time constraints.
