Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s future has been thrown into doubt following a blazing row with Antonio Conte over his fitness.
The Spain international has not travelled with the rest of the squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against champions Leicester.
And his future with the league leaders is now under a considerable cloud after an argument with boss Conte over an injury.
Costa believes he is suffering from a lower back problem, which could be linked to his history of hamstring injuries.
But members of the Blues medical team are not convinced by Costa’s complaints and Conte has subsequently backed his staff.
The disagreement has led to a falling out between Costa, Conte and club physios with the striker not backing trusting their methods. Chelsea have been contacted by Sportsmail but declined to comment.
The Blues were planning to offer Costa a new contract but the development casts significant doubt over that possibility
Indeed, Sportsmail understands representatives for the striker are in China looking for potential offers for Costa with a view to a lucrative switch to the Far East.
Blues medical staff have been cautious with Costa given his history of hamstring problems and have taken extra precautions over the course of the season to ensure the issue does not flare up.
Costa has arguably been Chelsea’s most influential player this season; scoring 14 goals for so far, hence Conte’s ploy to ensure he stays injury free.
But the issue could threatened to derail Chelsea’s push for the title.
Conte remains unconvinced by Costa’s understudy Michy Batshauyi despite the Belgium international’s £34million price tag.
The Chelsea manager is in the market for a new striker this month with Swansea’s Fernando Llorente a leading target.
And the issue with Costa could see Chelsea accelerate their search for a new centre-forward ahead of the transfer deadline at the end of the month.
And his future with the league leaders is now under a considerable cloud after an argument with boss Conte over an injury.
Costa believes he is suffering from a lower back problem, which could be linked to his history of hamstring injuries.
But members of the Blues medical team are not convinced by Costa’s complaints and Conte has subsequently backed his staff.
The disagreement has led to a falling out between Costa, Conte and club physios with the striker not backing trusting their methods. Chelsea have been contacted by Sportsmail but declined to comment.
The Blues were planning to offer Costa a new contract but the development casts significant doubt over that possibility
Indeed, Sportsmail understands representatives for the striker are in China looking for potential offers for Costa with a view to a lucrative switch to the Far East.
Blues medical staff have been cautious with Costa given his history of hamstring problems and have taken extra precautions over the course of the season to ensure the issue does not flare up.
Costa has arguably been Chelsea’s most influential player this season; scoring 14 goals for so far, hence Conte’s ploy to ensure he stays injury free.
But the issue could threatened to derail Chelsea’s push for the title.
Conte remains unconvinced by Costa’s understudy Michy Batshauyi despite the Belgium international’s £34million price tag.
The Chelsea manager is in the market for a new striker this month with Swansea’s Fernando Llorente a leading target.
And the issue with Costa could see Chelsea accelerate their search for a new centre-forward ahead of the transfer deadline at the end of the month.
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