Diego Costa Reportedly Warned After Antonio Conte Clash in Chelsea vs. Leicester

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has reportedly been warned over his conduct after his request to manager Antonio Conte to be substituted during the game against Leicester City on Saturday. 

Costa netted the opening goal in a 3-0 win for the Blues, but in the 71st minute gestured to the bench to be withdrawn, a request that was denied by Conte. According to Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail, while the coach denied the significance of the incident in the immediate aftermath of the clash, the 28-year-old has been left in no uncertain terms as to what is expected of him.

“It is understood the tempestuous Spain striker actually lost his cool because he was tired of the constant coaching from his boss on the touchline which he took to be direct criticism of his performance,” added Barlow. “His message to the bench was that they should take him off if he was not good enough.”

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As noted by Barlow, after the game Conte suggested Costa wanted to be withdrawn because he was concerned about picking up a fifth yellow card and a suspension for the upcoming clash with Manchester United.

ESPN FC’s Liam Twomey suggested another reason for the former Atletico Madrid man’s gesture to the bench:

It’s also noted by Barlow that Costa was involved in a similar incident last season with former manager Jose Mourinho.

The striker is said to have been unhappy at instructions from the boss to make more runs into the box during a UEFA Champions League clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv. “Costa stormed down the tunnel at half-time, ranting and daring Mourinho to take him off,” Barlow continued.

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Conte, it seems, is keen to keep these outbursts from the fiery forward out of the public eye, especially after he’s enjoyed such a positive start to the season. Indeed, Costa’s poacher’s effort against the champions was his seventh goal of 2016-17 in total, making him the division’s top scorer.

These numbers from OptaJoe show just how important Costa has been to the Blues since he joined the club in 2014:

In Costa’s case, some baggage is tolerable. The striker tows a very fine line on the field due to his aggression and attitude, although that behaviour is central to his strength as a player. However, impudent displays against the manager for tactical advice is something a coach of Conte’s stature will look to quickly nip in the bud.

“I decide. Me,” said the Italian after the game, per ESPN FC’s Miguel Delaney. “I take the responsibility in every situation. Costa always obeys the decision.” It seems as though the new Blues manager has no problem making his star players aware of exactly who the boss is at Stamford Bridge.