​ Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that he is not worried by Diego Costa's recent goal drought as long as the striker continues to play hard and show plenty of commitment to the cause. Costa is just as important to the team even without goals, his boss says.





On 17 Premier League goals for the season, Costa hasn't scored at club level in any of his last four appearances. It's certainly not a dramatic drought, but it is still a far cry from the player who was scoring for fun from August right through to December.

"I'm not concerned. It can happen," was Conte's calm response to questions about Costa's recent lack of goals when speaking to the media (via the Guardian) ahead of this weekend's trip to Bournemouth.





"For me, the most important thing is he is showing great commitment and behaviour during the games and is doing what I want. He was also unlucky in a lot of circumstances. But a player like Diego Costa can score in any game," the Italian continued.





"His character, his personality - that's very important for us and the team. Also, Diego won in the past and he has good experience. Goals are important for all forwards but he is important for us whether he is scoring or not."

While Conte is satisfied for now, there still remains a degree of uncertainty as to whether Costa will continue to be a Chelsea player beyond the end of the season. A falling out with the manager over an approach from China in January was quickly swept under the rug, but there is a general feeling that the 28-year-old could be gone come the start of 2017/18.

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