Chelsea

Antonio Conte backs Diego Costa to have "good season"

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 August 2016

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte backs Diego Costa to enjoy a "good season", having kept him at the club despite speculation of a return to Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has backed Diego Costa to have a successful season following a disappointing 2015-16 campaign.

Costa had been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid this summer, but Conte has continually outlined his importance to the team and the Brazilian-born Spain international is expected to lead the line when Chelsea get their campaign underway against West Ham United on Monday.

Conte expressed his desire to see Costa act as the focal point for his side, and believes that he could rediscover the form that saw him fire Chelsea to the title two seasons ago.

"Diego is a forward, and he knows that in my idea of football the forward must always be a point of reference for the team. I don't like the forward to move around the pitch, I like the forward to stay there, because you are a forward, and your commitment is to score the goal, stay in the right position. You're a forward, not a midfielder, not a defender," he told reporters.

"Diego Costa is a great player, and I know that he's a fantastic finisher. And I think that Diego can improve still a lot. I try to improve all my players. I'm seeing a good attitude from Diego, to work, to improve in different situations. I think that Diego can give a lot to this team, and I'm sure that he'll have a good season.

"For me he's an important player, he had a fantastic season two years ago when Chelsea won the title. Last season for a while he didn't score, then he started to score, but I'm happy that Diego stays here and to work with us. I like the spirit of Diego, because he always shows a great passion. Me, I'm the same, I have great passion for football. He doesn't want to lose and I like this passion."

Costa has scored 37 goals in his 78 appearances since joining Chelsea in 2014.