No Costa, no problem for Chelsea

Top-scorer Diego Costa wasn’t missed by English Premier League leader Chelsea.

Dimitri Payet’s absence wasn’t felt by West Ham.

Both teams won their games 3-0 despite missing their talisman on Saturday, but uncertainties linger about the future of the duo in English football.

West Ham, which beat Crystal Palace, went public with Payet’s bombshell that he wants to leave and is refusing to play. The east London club insists the France midfielder will not be sold in the January transfer window which runs for another two weeks.

The situation surrounding Costa isn’t as clear, with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s coy answers after beating Leicester highlighting deeper issues.

After twice referencing the “truth,” Conte stressed: “I like to tell the truth and not lie. Diego stopped training on Tuesday because he felt a pain in his back and from that moment he didn’t train in the week.”

Conte didn’t elaborate on the apparent injury, any further assessment by Chelsea’s medics, or when the striker is likely to be fit again.

“It’s a bit difficult to tell you this now,” Conte said.

Costa’s absence followed the Spain international being linked with a big-money move to the ambitious Chinese Super League and reports of a rift with the Chelsea coaching staff.

Pointedly, there was no denial from the manager who had already expressed a desire not to lie in public.

“If there are problems, I prefer to solve the problem in the changing room and not in the press conference,” Conte said. “If there are problems.”