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Chelsea must move swiftly to placate Diego Costa and avoid a mutiny

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea are full of drama at the moment

If Antonio Conte hoped that Diego Costa would leave Chelsea quietly, then he’s set to be sorely disappointed. Instead, officials at Stamford Bridge have invited the enigmatic striker back to England. Once he returns, Conte will need to work hard to avoid a mutiny.

Reports from England claim that Costa, despite all of his faults, is still very popular among his Chelsea teammates. That reality puts Conte in a very precarious situation. He needs to somehow placate Costa to keep him quiet without appearing weak in the process.

To say that’s a difficult problem would be an understatement. Conte prides himself on being the unquestioned leader of his squad. The return of a large ego like Costa will threaten his position. Even if Costa is banished to train alone, his personal friendships will be impossible for the club to silence.

It’s easy to understand why Costa’s teammates would be concerned over how the striker’s been treated. For all of his numerous faults, he was an important member of a squad that won the Premier League title last season. Conte has tried to replace him with a big money purchase of Alvaro Morata, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can fill Costa’s shoes.

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Other Chelsea veterans have to wonder if they might be discarded as easily as Costa was sent away. In particular, a friend of Costa’s like Willian could easily fear the same outcome for his career at Stamford Bridge. He was a key player for the club last season, but if he disagrees with Conte in public he’s likely earn a quick transfer to another club.

The club’s recent decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United is only working to heighten the squad’s fears. Conte has tried to backtrack and claim that he’s at odds with ownership of the move, but it’s pretty obvious he sanctioned the deal originally.

Tiemoue Bakayoko may ultimate prove to be a superior partner for N’Golo Kante, but he isn’t fit at the moment. Matic’s masterful debut for Manchester United certainly didn’t make the deal look good for Chelsea at the outset.

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The real question now becomes how Conte will deal with the giant elephant in his dressing room. Ignoring the issue of Costa will only allow the enigmatic striker’s influence to grow. Coming out against him too strongly could lead to an all-out revolt though. Conte has to find a delicate balance to keep his club together before the season goes off the rails.

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