Conte not concerned with Costa contract

Posted Saturday, February 18, 2017 by Foxsports.com

Antonio Conte insists a new contract for star striker Diego Costa is not on his mind as he prefers to focus on the present.

The 28-year-old former Atletico Madrid man still has two seasons on his current deal, and while Costa's head looked to have been turned by a reported mega-money offer to play in the Chinese Super League just a few weeks ago, Conte has stressed he doesn't want to "look so far forward".

Chelsea are currently chasing silverware on two fronts, and currently lead the Premier League standings, while they are also in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

And with his mind firmly focused on ensuring Chelsea are successful in his maiden season in England, Conte said: "I don't know about this situation because I think now it's very important to be focused on the present and not to look so far forward.

"I think now for the players, for the people who work for Chelsea, and for me it's important to be focused on the present. At the end of the season we'll see the situation."

He added that he was confident of keeping hold of Costa; "Yes, I'm confident, but I repeat now it's important to keep the great concentration for the present."

Chelsea play Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday, with Conte concluding: "Tomorrow's game against Wolverhampton is the present. We must go into the next round and then, I repeat, this situation will be better to face at the end of the season."