Diego Costa warned to improve behaviour by Antonio Conte after Chelsea striker asked to be subbed during Leicester win
Costa, 28, was spoken to privately after motioning that he should come off during Prem win over Foxes on Saturday
DIEGO COSTA has be warned by Antonio Conte over his behaviour.
The Chelsea striker sensationally gestured to the bench during Saturday's 3-0 win over Leicester to demand he should be subbed.
It was initially thought that Costa was telling Conte he should come off with the game in the bag at 2-0.
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And that was because Costa is on four yellow cards for the season.
One more would have seen him ruled out of Jose Mourinho's Stamford Bridge return with Manchester United on Sunday.
However, it is now understood Costa was simply frustrated with his boss' constant stream of instructions from the touchline and was suggesting that if the Italian was not happy with him then he should hook him.
However, Costa stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes and was later warned by Conte and Blues backroom staff that his behaviour was not up to scratch.
The incident was reminiscent of one between Costa and Mourinho last season when the former Chelsea boss feuded with his player during a 4-0 Champions League win at Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Conte said after last weekend's victory over the reigning champions: “Costa is an important player for us and his passion is important for the team.
“He must transfer this in every single minute of the game.
“I decided. I always take the responsibility in every situation. It’s always my decision whether or not a player is substituted.”