Diego Costa says Chelsea stars like Antonio Conte, as boss hits out at Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger

ANTONIO Conte has hit back at Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, as Diego Costa reveals one of the key reasons Conte has succeeded where Mourinho failed at Chelsea.

Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa.

AS Chelsea prepare to face Tottenham in a game that could see them push as high as eight points clear of Liverpool, star striker Diego Costa has revealed one of the key reasons things have turned around so sharply at Stamford Bridge.

Costa was one of the key failures last term, when the Blues’ Premier League defence under Jose Mourinho turned into a shambles.

With 29 points more than this time last year, Costa has revealed it isn’t just Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 to thank for the revival.

Simply, Chelsea’s players like him.

“We have had a change of manager, he is working us hard, but people like him, which is important for everyone connected to the club because it creates a good atmosphere. 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.

“When a game comes around, that’s the time to be serious. During the week the training sessions are serious, but away from there, you have to relax and switch off.

“We are a family, we spend so much time together, we have to do things that bring us closer together because if not, everything will be too regimented, too professional and I don’t like that, it’s not for me.”

Costa was heavily tipped to move to Atletico Madrid this season, but Conte convinced him to stay. In praising the Italian, he was sure not to put last season’s debacle entirely down to Mourinho.

Antonio Conte (L), with Diego Costa.

“It’s important to be right physically. The team is in good shape physically at the moment. Nowadays in football it’s key that a player is physically right.

“We had a great manager in Mourinho, who gave us a lot in that first season [when Costa first joined the club]. But last season, things just didn’t go well for us.

“We knew we had to change things, it wasn’t just the manager’s fault. We had to put in that bit more too.

“Also in terms of change, it has been a bit of everything: a new manager and wanting to win things because when you do, it’s wonderful and losing hurts.

“We have the backroom staff that he brought too and they have contributed to the good atmosphere, so the manager is great and we are all behind him.

“We have got to know him properly now and while at first some people might not have liked some of the changes, now he is getting results and convincing people.”

Meanwhile, Conte claims jibes about the Premier League leaders from critics including Mourinho are motivated by jealousy.

Manchester United boss Mourinho, who was sacked from his second spell at Chelsea last season, said his old team and Tottenham had been given festive fixture “privilege” when their London derby was scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

It ensured the Blues, seeking a record-setting 14th successive league win, had an additional day between games and the schedule also irked Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

But Conte is adamant Mourinho was motivated only by frustration at Chelsea’s strong position in the title race.

“I can reply that I didn’t do the fixtures,” Conte told reporters on Tuesday. “I think that now they are angry for our position, not for the fixtures.

“It’s normal. This also happens in Italy. I repeat: it’s always because you stay up at the top.”

Originally published as Diego Costa says Chelsea stars like Antonio Conte, as boss hits out at Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger