Antonio Conte Talks Diego Costa, Chelsea Title Prospects Ahead of West Ham Match

Antonio Conte has challenged Diego Costa to score 30 goals this season and believes Chelsea are among the "six, seven, eight" teams who could win the Premier League title this year.

According to the Guardian's David Hytner, the Chelsea head coach was asked if he had set the striker a target of 20 goals this season. He replied: "Why 20 and not 30?"

The Italian opened up on Costa and revealed he was pleased the Spain international looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer:

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Diego is a great player. I know that he is a fantastic finisher but I think he can still improve a lot. I hope for this. I try to improve all of my players. Their past is not important to me and now, I am seeing a good attitude from Diego—to work and to improve in different situations.

I am happy that Diego stays here to work with us. We know that we can improve through the work and the most important thing is that the players have put themselves into this idea. Diego can give a lot to this team and I am sure he will have a good season.

"

Conte also clarified he simply wants the striker to set his sights this year rather than demand a specific goal tally from him.

Costa netted 16 goals in all competitions last term, many of which came under Guus Hiddink in the second half of the season after a poor start.

Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal believes the Blues' underperformers from last year are set to get back to their best under the new manager:

Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign on Monday against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge having had a chance to see their title rivals in action over the weekend.

According to the Evening Standard's Nick Purewal, Conte spoke of the Blues' title chances: "I think that in this league it's very tough, and I think that at the moment six, seven, eight teams can fight to win the title. And I'm sure Chelsea is a good team and we must work very hard to be in the six, seven teams that fight for the title."

The season is set to be among the most competitive yet with Conte at the Chelsea helm, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jose Mourinho at Manchester United—according to OptaJoe, the Red Devils are due a title win:

Perennial top-four contenders Arsenal might also be in the mix depending on their transfer activity, while Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool could well improve as Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp continue to shape their respective sides.

What could help Chelsea is their lack of European football this year. While their rivals—aside from Liverpool—have the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League to contend with, the Blues will have fewer games and should be fresher for it as the season wears on.

If Chelsea do win the title, Costa will most likely have been an important figure alongside new signing Michy Batshuayi—if the pair can strike up an effective partnership, or at least both record hefty goal tallies, the Blues have an excellent chance of bringing home silverware.