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13th Jan 2017

China rumours gain traction after Diego Costa is dropped amid Conte clash reports

Things just got interesting.

Tom Victor

Chelsea’s top scorer Diego Costa has been left out of the squad for their Premier League clash with Leicester City, amid talk of a bust-up with manager Antonio Conte.

The Spanish international has league goals so far this season, more than any other player in the top flight, and found the net just seven minutes into the reverse fixture in October.

But Costa has reportedly fallen out with Conte after complaining of back problems, claims which the Daily Mail reports have been dismissed by the club’s staff.

According to the paper, Conte has sided with his staff on the matter, casting doubt on Costa’s Blues future.

Chelsea fans are torn on the matter, with some remaining loyal to their striker.

Not everyone, though.

And others seem convinced that Costa is on his way out.

Theories began to emerge about how it all panned out.

https://twitter.com/TheM_L_G/status/819972917517840384

Or what it means.

It feels a bit out of character for Costa. No, wait, the other thing.

It also feels a bit out of character for Conte. No, wait, we really need to stop saying things like this.

https://twitter.com/ThatDamnYank/status/819980688275304448

Could it provide an opportunity for someone else to challenge Costa in the race for the golden boot? Hey, stranger things have happened.

Timing’s everything, isn’t it.

https://twitter.com/FutbolsaCountry/status/819975428693757953