Conte speaks the Costa truth

LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte confirmed top scorer Diego Costa missed Saturday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City through injury but declined to say if he expected his top scorer to be available for their next Premier League match against Hull City.

The Italian chose his words carefully in an interview after the game, denying that he knew about a bid for the striker from China or a row between the pair in training last week, both of which were reported in multiple British media outlets duirng the week.

“I think before the game I told the truth and I repeat the truth because I like to and I don’t lie,” said Conte.

“Diego stopped his training (on) Tuesday because he felt a pain in his back, for this reason he was not available. This is the truth.”

Asked whether he had clashed with Costa, or if the 28-year-old striker had refused to play, Conte said: “I don’t know about this because, I repeat, the truth is what I told you before. Now we see in the next week (if he’s fit enough to face Hull).”

Asked whether the club had received an offer from China for Costa, he added: “I don’t know anything about this, no.”

The Brazilian-born Spain striker has two years remaining on his contract and reports from ESPN Brasil on Saturday said he had no interest in going to China.

However, two Chelsea players, Oscar and John Obi Mikel, have already joined Chinese sides Shanghai SIPG and Tianjin TEDA in the January transfer window.

Regarding any possible problems with Costa, Conte added: “If there are problems, I prefer to solve them in the dressing room, not the press conference if, and I repeat if, there are problems.” – Reuters