Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes striker Diego Costa will remain at Stamford Bridge for seasons to come following recent speculation about the Spaniard’s future at the club.
This follows suggestions that the striker was interested in Chinese team Tianjin Quanjian’s £30 million-a-year offer for the Blues’ hitman during the January transfer window.
The offers led to the forward being dropped from Chelsea’s first-team matchday squad in the victory over Leicester following an argument with Conte and his backroom staff over the potential move.
The Italian head coach, speaking on the BBC’s Premier League Show said:
Diego is a really important player. The situation is very clear, he is very happy to stay with us and fight for the title.
I think he will stay for some time. I see him every day and his commitment and behaviour. He loves the club.
The Chelsea boss did, however, warn about the impending threat to Premier League teams by the Chinese Super League and the wealth of these Chinese clubs who have attracted high-profile names to the country include former Chelsea players Ramires and Oscar, with the latter leaving Chelsea in a £60 million deal to Shanghai SIPG.
Conte commented:
It’s very difficult to manage these situations. £60 million for Oscar and also a lot of money going to the players themselves.
Chelsea travel to Turf Moor on Sunday to take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley, where they will be looking to extend their nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League, with the title in sight for the Blues.
