Chelsea Football Club can’t allow themselves to be held ransom if Diego Costa wants to leave the club.
This is the view of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, who was speaking to talkSPORT on the Alan Brazil Breakfast Show.
The future of Costa is in doubt after the striker was left out of the squad that faced Leicester, following speculation he is the subject of a bid from the Chinese Super League.
It is now being reported that Costa is demanding a huge £300,000 a week contract from Chelsea.
The 28-year-old striker has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 14 Premier League goals and spearheading a Chelsea team which sits at the top of the table.
For this reason, Zola believes Chelsea should try to resolve the issues with Costa, but has insisted that no player is above the club.
We are talking about a strong and inspirational player. I don’t know what the margins are to find an agreement. Obviously, I would try and find an agreement. But one thing is for sure, the club is always above everyone.
Chelsea have taken a hard line with Costa in the past, refusing to let the striker leave in the summer, following rumours the striker wanted to return to Atletico Madrid, and they may do so again. Zola believes that the final decision lies with the manager.
It depends on what the manager and the club wants to do, but the club always has to be on top of everybody.
