Antonio Conte ‘not worried’ by Diego Costa’s behaviour as suspension looms over Chelsea striker

Diego Costa is two-bookings away from a one-match ban
Getty Images
Simon Johnson15 September 2016

Antonio Conte is not concerned about Diego Costa’s discipline this season, even though the Chelsea striker is already just two yellow cards from an automatic one-game suspension.

FA rules dictate that a player must miss a fixture if they receive five bookings before December 31st, and Costa looks certain to be punished because he has already been shown three yellow cards in just four appearances.

But Conte doesn’t want him to change his style of play on the pitch just to avoid further trouble.

“I'm not worried about this,” he told Standard Sport. “I think Diego is growing in this situation because, in the last game, he showed a great attitude, great behaviour, despite a situation that was very difficult for him.

“But Diego, we all know him. He's a passionate man. I want him to put this passion in his football when he plays. It's important to show his passion in the right, and he is doing this.

“It's very difficult to talk and tell your player ‘to pay attention because, if you have two more yellows, you are banned’.

“I think that Diego knows this and it's important not to get the yellow cards for strange situations (like dissent). Only for a tackle, for a necessity it's good.”

Costa has scored three goals in four league games this season, and has as many bookings Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Costa has been in superb form this term, scoring four goals to help Chelsea climb into second place.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp described the 27-year-old as ‘world class’ ahead of his side’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Friday night.

Conte admits Chelsea he will be a hard man to replace should he reach the five card limit, but added: “In our squad, we also have Michy Batshuayi who is a good player waiting the right moment to show great quality. Also we have Ruben Loftus-Cheek who can play in this position.”

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