Conte cools Costa controversy

Blues manager won't comment on alleged rift

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said he will keep any problems in-house after dismissing claims of a rift with star striker Diego Costa.

Costa was not in the lineup for the EPL-leading Blues' 3-0 win at Leicester City on Saturday amid reports of an argument with fitness coach Julio Tous and interest from clubs in China.

But Costa insisted an injury was behind Costa's absence at King Power Stadium and claimed any problems with his players will be handled within the confines of the dressing room.

"I have read a lot of speculation about this topic," said Conte, who said he will assess Costa's fitness this week.

"I can tell you if there are problems - and I repeat 'if' - with players, I am used to solving them in the dressing rooms, not outside, not in press conferences.

"Trust me, what I told you is the truth. If we start to think 'if an offer arrives, if, if, if ...

"I don't like to answer these types of questions. We must enjoy this victory. It wasn't easy to win against Leicester.

"It's important to respect our victory and our players after a good performance.

"If you want to know the truth, I'm ready to tell the truth. On Tuesday, during the training session, Diego stopped because he felt a pain in his back.

"From that moment he didn't train during the week. For today he wasn't available for the starting 11 or the bench. This is the reason, the truth.

"I don't know anything about an offer from China. The club did not inform me about this. That can be only speculation."

Conte claimed he will not concern himself with questions about Costa's future at Stamford Bridge after seeing his squad open a seven-point lead over second-place Tottenham Hotspur.

"I can't be concerned about this because today my players showed me a great performance and great spirit.

"That's very important. When you are able to win this type of tough game it means that I can't be concerned about anything.

"Imust be pleased to work with these players. For sure I want to continue to work with all my players."

Conte coped with the loss of Costa by deploying attacking midfielders Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro as a front three without a recognized striker.

"I think it's important to have another way of playing, playing without a No 9 is another solution," said the manager.

"That's important. We played without a No 9 and won 3-0 but, I repeat, it's important always to play as a team.

"Sometimes changing your playing style is important during a championship run."

Defending champion Leicester suffered a 10th defeat of its title defense but manager Claudio Ranieri praised his players' effort despite his side flirting with relegation danger.

"I said from the beginning we have to look over our shoulder," said Ranieri.

"We are in the battle for relegation. I said that two or three months ago. But we are in good condition and I'm sure now we can get some good points.

"Our mentality is right. This team is used to fighting. Three seasons ago they fought to win the Championship, two season ago they survived a relegation battle and last season they won the title. They are used to fighting.

"I'm very happy with the performance we put in today.

"We tried to do our best, and that is all I can ask."

Leicester City's Danny Drinkwater (left) battles Chelsea's Nemanja Matic for possession during their English Premier League match on Saturday. Chelsea won 3-0.Darren Staples / Reuters