Antonio Conte believes Diego Costa is a changed 'warrior'
Sunday 11 December 2016 13:05, UK
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that Diego Costa is a "warrior" who is no longer interested in off-the-ball incidents.
Costa has scored 11 goals so far this campaign for Conte's table-topping Blues and the forward has yet to miss a game through suspension so far this season.
Though he has never actually received a red card in the Premier League, Costa has become accustomed to yellow-card suspensions and retrospective action since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2014.
The 28-year-old striker has been back to his goalscoring best under Conte though, and the Italian boss stressed the importance of the change in Costa's approach.
"I think Diego is a real warrior; he's good for the team, because it's important to have many warriors during the game," said Conte.
"Every game is a battle - a sporting battle - and it's important to have warriors in your side.
"Diego is showing his great passion, and that he can put his passion in the team in the best way. It's fantastic for him and for us, the team, the club and the fans.
"In every game I ask the same things of my players: be focused on the game, be focused to play football. Only this.
"The other situations don't matter. It's important to be focused on the game. I always ask this of my players before every game.
"It's important to be focused on the game, on the pitch, to do some movements, to put himself [Costa] in the best way in every moment of the game."
Next up for Costa and co Chelsea is the visit of West Brom to Stamford Bridge on Sunday with Conte's charges looking for a ninth consecutive victory.
Arsenal beat Stoke 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday to return to the summit courtesy of goals scored with the clubs goal difference level, though fellow title rivals Manchester City lost 4-2 at champions Leicester City.
