Why aren’t Chelsea FC living up to their sky high preseason expectations? Well, there’s a multitude of reasons but you have to first look at the reported stories of alleged unrest. First, there was talk of Manager Antonio Conte potentially leaving/getting dismissed already. Supposedly that was all smoke, and no fire; mostly rumors driven by speculation in the betting community.
Now there’s real talk of genuine discord between star striker Diego Costa and Conte.
Chelsea have told Diego Costa to show more respect toward manager Antonio Conte, according to multiple reports in English newspapers.
The Telegraph reported that Costa “had become annoyed by Conte’s hands-on coaching style” from the touchline, while The Mirror said the striker was “furious at what he saw as Conte’s criticism of his performance.”
Costa believed Conte “should take him off if he was not good enough,” according to the Daily Mail.
Costa showed his anger and disgust with his own bench on several occasions during Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Leicester City this past weekend. Apparently, Conte asked to be subbed off because he was sick on Conte’s yelling at him.
Maybe this Diego Costa and Antonio Conte discord is just a small hiccup that will be resolved in time? Or not, maybe it’ll become a larger problem that could potentially torpedo part of the season?
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.