Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has hailed striker Diego Costa for his disciplinary record and intensity in winning possession and working hard off the ball following his side’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
It was the Blues’ ninth straight win in a row in the Premier League and the Brazilian-born Spain international was the player to force the breakthrough in the second half when he capitalised on a mistake by Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley to put the ball in the back of Ben Foster’s net.
With 12 goals and five assists, Costa has been involved in 51.51% of Chelsea’s goals this season. He has been ever-present in Conte’s team as they have fired their way to the top of the table, starting in all 15 league games so far, and missed just 32 minutes of action so far.
That would all change if the forward were to pick up another booking. He has already received four yellow cards. A fifth would hand Costa an automatic one-match suspension, yet he has not been booked since September.
“It is incredible, no?” said Conte in his post-match press conference following the win over West Brom at Stamford Bridge. “After the Arsenal defeat, Diego had four yellow cards and he was on the edge. He has continued to stay on the edge. It’s incredible. He can arrive in January without a yellow card, I hope. It is important he continues.”
Costa has made 24 tackles this season, attempted 53 aerial duels and completed 21 clearances over the course of his 15 league appearances. His hard-working contributions haven’t gone unnoticed by his manager.
“He is showing great passion, Diego, because he likes to play football,” said Conte. “Every game he is showing me great commitment, great work rate with the ball, without the ball, to help the team. It’s fantastic.
“It’s important to continue this way. I’m very happy for him. Diego is for sure a great striker and he can continue to improve as a footballer but I am satisfied with the work we are doing with him and the team.”
Chelsea’s 1-0 win over West Brom ensured that the Blues remained three points clear at the top of the Premier League table on a weekend that saw Manchester City lose ground in the title race after losing away to Leicester City and Liverpool held by West Ham at Anfield. Conte’s side have won all nine of their games in a row since October 1, scoring 23 goals and conceding just twice, however the Italian believes they are not yet at their peak.
“We have to improve with all the players,” he said. “We can improve a lot. We can only improve through the work. We have to work every day. For this reason, I am very satisfied with the commitment of the players. Today, it wasn’t an easy game and they showed me great application, great commitment and great concentration.”
Chelsea have made the fewest fouls in the Premier League this season but are the third most fouled side in the competition, with their players having suffered 199 fouls while only committing 144.
However, the Blues are joint sixth for cards received, with 33 bookings from 15 games. Watford have received the most with 37 yellow cards and three reds – no side has had more players sent off this term.
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