Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois has insisted that the Blues have enough firepower to replace their top-scorer Diego Costa.

The Spain international was dropped for the trip to Leicester after a reported row with Conte and a fitness coach. Reports are also suggesting that the striker is eyeing a lucrative deal from China that will offer him £30 million a year.

The rumours have been quashed for the time being by Blues boss Antonio Conte after he said the former Atletico Madrid star missed the game against Leicester City due to a back problem. Speaking before the game against the defending champions, Conte had said:“On Tuesday, Diego stopped training with a pain in his back and then in the week he didn’t train with us.”

Well, the fans would be desperately hoping that Conte’s statement was the real reason behind the striker’s absence and is not related to the massive deal from the Chinese Supre League. The 28-year old has been integral to the Premier League leaders this season, having scored 14 goals and provided five assists and losing him at this stage will be a huge blow.

However, Courtois is confident that the Stamford Bridge outfit can replace the in-form striker.

“Of course we have enough quality to replace Diego,” said Courtois.

“Diego is important for us but if he’s not there for one game we know we can handle it as well.

Whether Chelsea will miss Costa or not, only time will tell if he leaves but for the time being, the league leaders are doing reasonably well without the striker. In his absence, they have won two games (1-0 against Bournemouth and 3-0 against Leicester City) and Courtois said that his team can play without Costa if the situation demands.

“Was this a message to our rivals? Yes, just to see Chelsea won 3-0 and that loss at Spurs didn’t affect us and we can play without Diego if need be.

“I think everybody hoped for us to drop points and we didn’t so that was very good,” the Belgium international added.