How Diego Costa became Chelsea’s best player – and all thanks to Conte

The Blues striker has found fantastic form this season and his new Stamford Bridge boss deserves a lot of credit

Leicester City will struggle to control the league’s most in-form striker on Saturday as the Chelsea hit-man, who has been involved in eight goals in seven games so far this season, added to his record by netting for his country over the international break.

Conte fought hard to keep his striker from the clutches of Atletico Madrid in the summer, but the Chelsea boss knew he couldn’t do without a player who he considers to be the best striker he has ever coached.

Costa has taken his game to another level this season to become Chelsea’s most important player, surpassing the influence that Eden Hazard has. It seems a long time ago now that it was the Belgian winning the PFA Player of the Year award during Chelsea’s title-winning season two years ago.

The implementation of stricter diets and pre-season double training sessions have allowed Costa to add a leaner side to his meaner side – while discipline on the training ground has ensured that he focuses on Conte’s plan.

Last season, and almost a year ago to the day, Costa admitted he got fat during his summer break. Pre-season work wasn’t sufficient to work off the weight he had gained before his club went on a shocking run of results that led to Jose Mourinho’s exit.

“Maybe I got out of my diet and when I came back I was not the way I was supposed to be,” Costa said. “I was a little bit overweight. That affected my game.”

Costa is a jovial character around the dressing room with immense popularity among team-mates, but Conte’s demanding nature has been something that’s helped him hone his game as a forward.

The Blues talisman is a faster player this season and now more able to run in behind defences while Chelsea look to him on the counter attack. His improved speed means that whether teams defend high or deep, Costa can find a way to hurt you.

There are signs, too, that Conte has successfully burrowed into his striker’s head as defences are getting less of a rise out of his rage with fouls and comments on the pitch.

He has still been fouled 21 times this season – more than any other Premier League player, apart from Hazard – but he’s looked far less likely to explode as the season has gone on.

His goals have been worth five points to Chelsea already as they have been decisive in the games against West Ham, Swansea and Watford, while he was also the player to kill off the game against Hull City.

The £32 million striker has been hauling Chelsea up the table and keeping them in contention for European spots. He has completely filled the No.9 void left after Didier Drogba departed from the club.

Finding the talents to match those who have gone before hasn’t been easy for Chelsea with John Terry still looking like the club’s best centre-back, while Thibaut Courtois has yet to fully convince in Petr Cech’s shadow. Frank Lampard’s absence is still felt in midfield.

Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2014, Costa has built up an impressive record, scoring 38 goals and providing 11 assists in just 58 appearances. In comparison, Drogba only managed 27 goals with 17 assists in the same length of time.

Costa is now key for club and country with Julen Lopetegui seeing sense after Vicente del Bosque left him out for Euro 2016. His reward? Elimination from the tournament by Conte’s Italy.

Everything is coming together for Costa and, while Conte can take some credit for his continued development, it is Costa who has shown the drive to develop.

Only 10 years ago, Costa was on £100-per-week at Barcelona Esportiva Capela, a small club in São Paulo, having been born into relative poverty in north east Brazil. Now Conte has built his Chelsea team around him and, in the process, made him the most important player for one of the world’s biggest football clubs.