Just when everyone was starting to think that Diego Costa had learned to stay away from controversy, the striker decided to show us that he hasn’t changed that much after all!

Conflicting stories will tell you that the Spanish international forward has a back injury or has had his head turned with talk of a move away from Stamford Bridge. But one thing all reports agree on is that Chelsea’s leading marksman has fallen out with boss Antonio Conte.

Costa was then dropped by Conte as Chelsea thumped Premier League champions Leicester City last weekend.

The story has led to many speculating that Diego Costa is doing a Dimitri Payet and is trying to force a move to either China or even back to Spain.

I don’t think the two stories mirror each other if I’m being honest.

At West Ham United Payet has downed tools, stated that he no longer wants to play for the club and wants to return to Olyimpique Marseille.

I get the feeling Payet will be willing to sit a strike out and really push for that move to go through. He’s basically burning all his bridges at the London Stadium in his attempt to leave the Hammers.

At Chelsea, Costa has to remember that the real boss at the club is owner Roman Abrahimovich.

The Russian billionaire won’t be bullied by any footballer. He will demand that Costa gets back on track and forget about a transfer this month. If Costa were to go on strike, Abramovich will be ruthless in his response and let the striker rot. Even Diego’s super-agent Jorge Mendes wouldn’t be able to persuade the Blues owner to act differently from a hard stance.

But there’s also something different in the two player’s personalities.

Beyond anything else, Costa actually wants to play as much football as he can. He’d probably teardown his own house or punch his granny in the face (maybe not) if he was told he couldn’t play for six months. So I just can’t see him throwing all his toys out of the pram, as it could lead to a prolonged stay on the naughty step.

I think that Conte will punish Costa but will be looking at introducing him back into the first team as soon as he possibly can.

Costa has been in sensational form this season and has looked a better striker playing in Conte’s team. He leads the league’s scoring charts with his fourteen goals, he always plays like a passionate warrior up-top and has started to curb his reckless behaviour.

Antonio Conte has to tell Costa that he owes a lot to Chelsea and the club’s fans. He also needs to state that Costa is the man that can fire them to a league title in May.

Then all parties can come together at the end of the season and work out what to do next. It could be the ideal time for a separation.

If I were a betting man, I’d suggest that Diego Costa will stay at Chelsea and lead the line for the rest of this campaign, while sulky Dimitri Payet will force a move out of West Ham!

Posted on January 17th, 2017 by scott
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