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Antonio Conte: "Everything is perfect" with Diego Costa

Antonio Conte reveals that he had 'forceful' words with Diego Costa, but reiterates that the Spain international is happy at Chelsea.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has attempted to put an end to the transfer speculation surrounding Diego Costa by claiming that "everything is perfect" between him and the striker.

The Spain international's future was in major doubt last month following a reported training-ground dispute with a backroom member of staff, which Conte was quick to play down at the time.

Costa was left out of Chelsea's squad for the 3-0 win over Leicester City in the wake of interest from the Chinese Super League, and more recent reports claim that he still wants out of Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Conte insists that the situation has now been dealt with, though, while also praising the likes of N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard for their impressive work in Chelsea's run to the Premier League title.

"Diego? I was clear with him, I spoke to him forcefully and he understood me. Now everything is perfect," he told Sky in Italy. "Kante is unbelievable. His dependability, we know, but he has quality, too. He even should get better in some parts. He tends to be a horizontally moving player, but needs to learn vertically.

"He's a great kid, always helping out the other players. It was a terrific purchase. His goal against Manchester United was wonderful. And Hazard? He's immensely talented. He has ability in all measures of the game."

Costa, said to have been offered £30m a year in wages to join Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian, has scored 15 Premier League goals for the Blues this term.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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