On Friday night the news broke that Chelsea’s star striker Diego Costa had a blazing row with Blues coaching staff on the club's training row. The Spanish international is believed to have clashed with a fitness coach and is reported to have been told by boss Antonio Conte to ‘Go to China then!’ during the incident.
The former Atletico Madrid star has been linked with a big-money move to the Chinese Super League. The two factors seem to have unsettled the striker.
The Blues are top of the Premier League table and the favourites to win the title. However, the row and speculation could well derail the Blues title bid this season. Costa has of course been a key player and is the league’s top scorer with 14 goals this season.
The striker is more just a focal point of the Blues attack. He provides his team with a great outlet. The 28-year-old works his socks off for the team and holds the ball up to bring his teammates into the game.
Costa is known for his fiery temperament and was heavily linked with a move back to Atletico Madrid in the summer. However, boss Antonio Conte was reported to have talked the striker around and developed a good standing with the Brazilian-born star.
The striker’s behaviour has seemingly improved under Conte. However, the pair’s relationship may now have soured slightly ahead of the Blues trip to champions Leicester in Saturday’s evening Premier League kick-off with the striker dropped from the first team squad.
It remains to be seen how long the Spanish international striker will be out of favour. However, it is being reported in the British media that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is unwilling to be bullied into selling the star.
Diego Costa is a key player for Chelsea and if he is out of the Blues team for a long time then no doubt it will damage his team’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season.