Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has defended Diego Costa after the striker was seen drinking a beer following a recent match, saying it’s okay for his players to enjoy one drink following a result.
Images posted on social media in the aftermath of Chelsea’s win over West Brom appeared to show Costa in the changing room following the match holding a bottle of beer.
The sight of seeing Costa with the alcoholic beverage has confused some fans with Conte implementing a stringent diet on his players at the Stamford Bridge outfit.
However the Italian hasn’t banned his Chelsea team from consuming alcohol and now Conte has indicated he doesn’t mind Costa, or indeed any of his Blues, having a drink as a treat following a win.
Conte argues that any drink is good for re-hydration and as long as it’s only one beer and it’s had straight after the match they’re won’t be any issues.
Speaking on Costa’s drinking Conte said, according to Goal: “[It is good] for re-hydration, you can drink Coca-Cola or one beer. It’s good for recovery. But one. Not a lot. It’s good. After you finish the game, quickly, not an hour after the end.
“I have great professionals in my players. In this case, I don’t think a coach or a manager can say: ‘Do this’ or ‘Don’t do this’. I have great professionals and I know they will have the better attitude and behaviours in this situation.”
Costa is the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season having netted 12 times for the Blues in the top flight, adding his side to a nine game winning run.
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