Conte believes Diego Costa will play a key role for Chelsea this season but is keen for his striker to act as a focal-point for the team and abandon his previous roving role.
“Diego is a forward, and he knows that in my idea of football, the forward must always be a point of reference for the team,” the Italian said. naijabet.com
“I don’t like the forward to move around the pitch, I like the forward to stay there, because you are a forward, and your commitment is to score the goal, stay in the right position.
“You’re a forward, not a midfielder, not a defender.
“Diego Costa is a great player, and I know that he’s a fantastic finisher. And I think that Diego can improve still a lot.
“I try to improve all my players. I’m seeing a good attitude from Diego, to work, to improve in different situations. I think Diego can give a lot to this team, and I’m sure that he’ll have a good season.
“For me he’s an important player, he had a fantastic season two years ago when Chelsea won the title.
“Last season for a while he didn’t score, then he started to score, but I’m happy that Diego stays here and [wants] to work with us.
“I like the spirit of Diego, because he always shows a great passion. Me, I’m the same, I have great passion for football.
“He doesn’t want to lose and I like this passion.”
