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Are these three possible replacements for this hot-headed Chelsea star?
Diego Costa’s alleged bite of Gareth Barry on Saturday gave Chelsea fans flashbacks to the vitriolic abuse they hurled at Luis Suarez for doing something rather similar and football fans aren’t exactly renowned for their level morals.
Naturally, the tribalistic football fan approach means that they will defend their players to the hilt and victimise the opponent for doing something so very similar. Diego Costa; aside from the diving, is no different to Luis Suarez a lot of the time. Costa is a battler, a hard worker and will do anything for the cause, but his reaction to their FA Cup elimination of Saturday showed a side to him that many doubted really existed. Aggression is one thing, but the way he flew at Barry was the sign of a man ready to lash out at anything and anyone. Costa has every reason to be frustrated with his lame-duck team mates, with his improved form under Hiddink having given the Blues hope of salvaging their dire season.
Chelsea are trying to grow the club as a business as much as they are as a footballing entity. Players who drag the Chelsea image through the dirt on a regular basis will not be wanted by the marketing department, PR team or board members at the club. John Terry survived because he is Mr Chelsea, but it does make you wonder how much his misdemeanours will play in the ongoing contract stalemate.
The brand of a club; in the days of FFP, really does matter and Chelsea are at risk of Diego Costa fundamentally damaging their image. If the new Chelsea boss decides to move the Spaniard on, we have three possible replacements: