DIEGO COSTA has been convinced he should stay at Chelsea after speaking to new manager Antonio Conte, according to Daily Express.
Conte – currently in charge of Italy until after Euro 2016 – made his first visit to the club’s Cobham training base following his appointment this week.
And he has made it clear he wants the Spain forward to remain part of his plans – while the Stamford Bridge hierarchy insists they have no intention of selling the player who has three years remaining on his current contract.
Costa’s future has been thrown into doubt after a frustrating second season in England that has left the player wanting a move away.
The Brazil-born striker has grown frustrated by his negative on-field reputation – and claims that has made him a target for what he believes is unfair treatment by the authorities.
Costa will miss today’s trip to Swansea while he serves the additional one- match ban imposed by the FA after being found guilty of improper conduct following his dismissal at Everton.
That was the latest incident to fuel the player’s desire to return to Atletico Madrid, the club he left in a £32.5 million move two years ago, while a hugely lucrative move to China has also been touted.
But Costa now seems certain to remain at Chelsea following the intervention of Conte.
John Terry’s future remains unclear, however, with the Chelsea captain yet to learn whether the new manager will recommend a new deal for the centre-back.
Terry will again be missing from the squad today with an Achilles problem that could keep him out until the start of May although he has trained this week in a bid to speed his recovery.
Guus Hiddink, who will continue the countdown to the end of his second spell in interim charge, admits the break-up of the core group of players that drove Chelsea to success over the last decade will make Conte’s job harder.
Hiddink said: “That’s an extra complication. When I came here, going back in history, in 2009 there was also this transition, but at that time the team was firm regarding the personalities.
“There were players who knew the culture of English football, but especially the culture of the club, like Frank Lampard, John Terry, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba.
“Now it’s a bit different, and it’s not easy. But they’re well aware and full of brightness and energy to get it restored.”
COMMENTS