Chelsea could let second striker go after Bamford loan

Mark Holmes
Loic Remy: Chelsea striker could join Leicester City

Loic Remy: Chelsea striker could join Leicester City

Guus Hiddink agreed to loan Patrick Bamford to Norwich City because the striker needs games – and Chelsea could yet sell Loic Remy too.

Chelsea allowed Bamford to join Norwich on loan on Saturday after confirming the signing of Alexandre Pato, also on loan, the previous evening.

Hiddink had previously hinted that he might keep Bamford at Stamford Bridge for the rest of the season, but the Dutchman believes a loan move will be of greater benefit.

“He is a typical striker who needs to play a lot,” Hiddink told Chelsea’s website.

“If he would have stayed with Chelsea it is not for good for him. He needs to play and get competition.”

Asked when Pato could make his debut for the Blues, Hiddink said: “I don’t want to force it and press it.

“I want to have more data and have my eye on him and how he is because he is in pre-season.

“I want him to integrate. We try to build him up as soon as possible.”

Despite Bamford’s move and the possible delay in getting Pato up to full fitness, Chelsea do appear willing to allow Remy to leave on deadline day, with reports suggesting Leicester City have agreed a £10million deal for the 29-year-old.

Remy, who wants regular first-team football to boost his chances of making France’s Euro 2016 squad, has been linked with several Premier League clubs, but Leicester have seemingly won the race after missing out on Sampdoria’s Eder and CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa.

The Daily Mirror, meanwhile, says Chelsea rejected a late approach from Atletico Madrid to re-sign Diego Costa in exchange for Jackson Martinez plus cash.