Loic Remy has emerged as a shock contender to fill the role at Chelsea left void by Diego Costa.
Manager Antonio Conte is desperately seeking a new leading striker this summer after informing Costa that he is no longer wanted.
Conte is understood to have grown tired of the Spain international’s conduct and attitude but in forcing him out he must find someone who can match the 27 goals Costa either scored or assisted in the Premier League last season.
The Blues have been linked with a host of options this summer with the club bidding for Romelu Lukaku before he joined Manchester United instead. They continue to hold an interest in Alvaro Morata, Andrea Belotti and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among others according to reports.
But someone widely overlooked is Remy.
The Frenchman has been included in Chelsea’s pre-season tour to Asia and with limited options due to Costa’s absence and Eden Hazard being sidelined with a knee injury he looks likely to be given a shot by Conte.
Having scored twice in a recent low-key 8-2 friendly win over Fulham, if the 30-year-old were to shine in the games against Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan he could become a serious contender to fill Costa’s shoes.
It would mark an incredible turnaround for Remy who was sent to Crystal Palace on loan last season. But due to injuries he made just five Premier League appearances and failed to score a single goal.
In the preceding two season at Chelsea he made 32 Premier League appearances and scored eight goals.
Remy had been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks with Everton and Southampton among those reportedly interested in signing him.
However, considering other Chelsea players linked with switches away from Stamford Bridge have been omitted from the tour would suggest Conte sees Remy’s situation differently.
While Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and Kurt Zouma were not wanted, the Italian does appear keen to see more of Remy. It would seem it’s now up to the player to make an impression.
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