Diego Costa has been spotted behind the wheel of the Chelsea team bus as the team prepare to depart for Watford this afternoon.
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The reigning champions could only muster a 10th-placed finish as they surrendered their top-flight crown to Leicester City, while they also failed to win a trophy or qualify for Europe.
But the Chelsea boss claims the pair have since settled their differences after seeing each other at the annual Premier League managers meeting in pre-season.
Juan Cuadrado has consistently been linked with a return to Juventus, where he spent last term on loan.
Costa got himself on the scoresheet in the opening game of the season at West Ham United to secure three valuable points and give his new boss a dream start. “If you look at the starting XI or over the past year, it’s the same”, he said.
He admits that a team of Chelsea’s stature should challenge for the title until the end, but feels it is not the right time to talk about such things. I hope he continues but we know he must pay attention.
“We are working hard to improve, but if you ask me the real target of the squad, it is difficult to explain”. “He is a passionate footballer and sometimes it can seem he’s on the edge but he’s a good guy and a good player”. There was a great will to win.
“We must maintain this mentality and this will to win”.
Conte came up against him regularly while in charge of Juventus.
“It will be a good game”. It is a unsafe game. We have to send the right message.
Costa scored an 89th-minute victor to secure Chelsea a 2-1 win over West Ham in Conte’s first Premier League game on Monday, but much of the postmatch analysis focused on the 27-year-old’s late tackle on goalkeeper Adrian.
“I spoke with him about this new experience, this is a great challenge also for him”. I saw that he is very focused. You always stay at the centre of attention. I have great respect for him and for his work. “He’s a good manager”.
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“It won’t be an easy game tomorrow because Watford are a solid team with good players”, Conte said.
