Diego Costa and Antonio Conte are 'a perfect combination', says Steve McClaren
Monday 12 September 2016 11:49, UK
Diego Costa's chemistry with manager Antonio Conte reminds Steve McClaren of the special relationship shared by Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Costa's double in the 2-2 Super Sunday draw with Swansea took his goal tally this term to four, some three-and-a-half months quicker than it took him to reach the same mark last season.
Former England boss McClaren thinks Conte deserves credit for rejuvenating Costa and believes the duo will ensure Chelsea are in the shake-up at the top of the Premier League come the end of the season.
"The combination of Antonio Conte and Diego Costa is fascinating. They're great to watch," McClaren said on Sky Sports Now on Monday morning.
"They're alike. One is crazy on the field and one is crazy off the field. They're a perfect combination. They know each other and Conte is probably the best person to deal with Costa.
"It reminds me a little bit of the Ferguson/Keane partnership. They were alike. They knew what each other wanted. Together they were very, very strong.
"I think Conte and Costa are getting like that and I think Chelsea will be there or thereabouts purely because of their personalities driving this Chelsea team forward."
Costa picked up a yellow card on Sunday but exercised restraint by refusing to let his emotions spill over after a running battle with Swansea defender Jordi Amat during the game.
"I think he's still volatile," McClaren added. "He's on the edge. He is a striker who is on the edge, right on the line."
Costa is indeed a tempestuous character, according to former Aston Villa and Bayern Munich striker Alan McInally, but the Scotsman says the former Atletico Madrid frontman is an outstanding footballer first and foremost.
"He's brilliant but he drives me crazy because of everything else that he does," McInally said.
"Listen, he's a super football player, he's exactly as you see him. He will try and rile you and he's a goalscorer and because of that I think Chelsea will be there or thereabouts this season."
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