Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit believes benching Diego Costa is not a permanent solution for manager Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese relegated Costa to the bench during the goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.
The Spaniard has struggled for form in the present campaign, scoring just four goals in 17 games.
However, benching the Spain international did not work for the Blues as they failed to find the back of the net for the third time in the league this season.
Mourinho played Eden Hazard up front at White Hart Lane as Chelsea’s other two strikers, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy, were not available for selection against Spurs.
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And Gullit, who both played and managed Chelsea, feels neither Falcao nor Remy can take up the goalscoring mantle in Costa’s absence.
“I don't see it being a permanent situation, because Mourinho is still searching for an answer up front”, he wrote on the BBC.
“He does not have many other options – Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao are Chelsea's other recognised strikers.
“Remy is OK, but is he good enough for Chelsea? I am not convinced.
“As for Falcao, Mourinho thought he could get him back to being the phenomenal player he was before his cruciate injury in 2014, but a lot of people have already tried and failed there.
“Neither of them were available on Sunday, so Mourinho played Hazard out of position up front.”
Chelsea, who are presently 14th in the Premier League table with 15 points from 14 outings, will next face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
