Diego Costa has stated that Antonio Conte is more of a success at Chelsea than his predecessor because the players actually like him
In an interview with Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard, Chelsea striker Diego Costa said that new manager Antonio Conte is better than his predecessor Jose Mourinho because the players enjoy working with him.
Conte took charge of Chelsea in the summer after the Blues finished in a dismal 10th position in the season they set out to defend their Premier League crown. All of their big names failed to deliver, and it eventually led to the sacking of the self-proclaimed “Special One” – Jose Mourinho.
Guus Hiddink took the interim role until the end of the season and managed to improve fortunes marginally, but Chelsea still looked like a shadow of their old selves. The Dutchman was rumoured to be offered a permanent job, but denied it due to other professional obligations.
This saw Conte take charge in the summer, and without ringing in too many drastic changes, he’s managed to take his side to the top of the table. The signings of N’Golo Kante and Marcus Alonso have proven to be tactful buys as the duo have been key players in their respective departments.
Diego Costa, too, was out of sync last season and is a monster reborn this time around. He has started to show the hunger he did in his first year at Chelsea. At 14 goals, he sits atop the Premier League Golden Boot charts, and has been involved in almost half of his side’s goals this season.
The Spanaird spoke about how Conte is a better man manager than Mourinho:
“I think it’s really important for managers to be liked by his players because ultimately on the pitch, those players will give everything for their manager.
“We have had a change of manager, he is working us hard, but people like him. Sometimes you have managers that have to be the boss, but this manager is a bit friendlier and there is closeness there.
“It is really important to have that at your workplace for you to come in and feel happy. You need a good atmosphere and a bit of fun.”
Costa was a disgruntled figure at Chelsea last season and was involved in a scrap with then manager Jose Mourinho. After a series of disappointing results, Mourinho appeared to have lost the dressing room and the confidence of the board.
According to the Chelsea striker, it is due to Conte’s hands-on approach, why the players are giving him such a positive response. Regardless of Mourinho’s previous achievements at the club, the Italian seems to be the man who is taking the London club to new heights.
Currently on a thirteen-game winning run, Conte is unlikely to alter his formation due to games coming in quick succession. The Blues have fended off top teams en-route to this phenomenal streak, and will be looking to continue their run when they face Tottenham on Wednesday.
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