Chelsea Transfer News: Ian Wright Urges Diego Costa Sale Amid Striker Rumours

Ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has told Chelsea to cut their losses and sell Diego Costa "at the first opportunity" amid speculation the club is interested in potential replacements Javier Hernandez and Paco Alcacer.

The winter transfer window will offer Blues boss Jose Mourinho a chance to make changes to his squad, and Wright believes selling Costa is one of the steps Chelsea must take to get back on track, per Metro's Sean Kearns:

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I would sell him at the first opportunity I get for Costa. I’d sell him. As brilliant as he was in the first season, he’s playing a lot differently now. He’s antagonised at the moment. If I was a defender I would just keep talking to him, it takes him away from his game.

When he first got here he was concentrated on scoring goals and being in the box, now he’s doing everything else. He’s outside the box and getting involved with people. At this moment, he’s the last centre forward Chelsea need.

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Costa has just two Premier League goals to his name this season and was suspended for three games earlier in the campaign following clashes with Arsenal defensive duo Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista.

It's a far cry from the player who netted 21 goals in 37 games during his maiden season at Stamford Bridge, although Costa isn't the only Chelsea player lacking in form over recent months.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The west London giants will have to complete the Premier League's biggest comeback story if they're to successfully defend their title, sitting 16th in the standings and 15 points off the top after 12 games.

What's more, Daniel Storey of Football 365 suggested Costa has failed to leave a scoring impression against many, if any, big teams over the past eight months:

The Spain international is hardly the only concern for Mourinho at present when considering the likes of Eden Hazard and John Terry have also been sub-par, while Thibaut Courtois' injury absence is an unwelcome development.

Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes feels Costa's physical style of play earns him unfair attention, however, after noting other players can behave similarly and yet receive less attention:

Those in agreement with Wright will be pleased to hear of Chelsea's reported interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Hernandez and Valencia attacker Alcacer, according to ESPN FC (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express).

Ex-Manchester United forward Hernandez has netted 10 goals in 14 games for Leverkusen since moving to the BayArena. The club's chief executive, Michael Schade, highlighted the commercial edge he brings to Leverkusen along with on-pitch impact, per Goal's Joe Wright:

"He is a complete merchandise package. He is a legend in Mexico. The media hype he has created is unbelievable. He has exceeded all our expectations, for the Bayer company, too."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Such a prime business opportunity may interest the Chelsea hierarchy if his recent form hasn't been evidence enough to show what a powerful attacking force the Mexico international can be.

After falling out of favour at Old Trafford and spending a season on loan as a peripheral option at Real Madrid, OptaFranz illustrated how Chicharito is seizing his chance in Germany:

Alcacer hasn't been as prolific this season, but a record of five goals in 15 appearances is still superior to Costa at present, not to mention the Spaniard holds sell-on value at the age of 22.

However, considering Alcacer is a 10-year veteran in Valencia's ranks and Los Che are sure to value their youth product rather highly, convincing the La Liga outfit to sell in January will be a tough ask.

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Similarly, neither Hernandez nor Leverkusen may be keen on the idea of ending his BayArena stint so soon, especially after the striker has just come upon some much-desired prominence under Roger Schmidt.

One thing for certain is that Chelsea's squad needs change and fast, but Mourinho may yet be content to invest more time in Costa with the hopes he can revive his former Stamford Bridge best.