Costa a ‘complete player’ – Conte

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has described Diego Costa as “a complete player”.

Costa has eight goals in 10 Premier League appearances this season, making him the division’s leading scorer ahead of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.

But Conte insists there was more to Costa’s game than finding the back of the net and has praised his work-rate.

“Diego is playing fantastic football,” he said. “Not only scoring goals, but he is working a lot and very well for the team. I think I am seeing a complete player in Diego.

“It’s fantastic for me, for the team, to have him in the squad. I hope Diego continues in this way because his commitment is incredible.”

Lukaku (pictured above) – who left Chelsea for Everton in 2013, initially on loan – was linked with a return to the Blues this summer prior to the arrival of fellow Belgium international Michy Batshuayi.

And while Conte refused to be drawn on his interest in signing Lukaku, he did praise the striker ahead of Chelsea’s game with Everton on Saturday.

“I like to talk about my players and not the players of the other teams,” Conte said.

“Lukaku, for sure, is a very good player, he’s young and improving a lot.”