Chelsea’s and former Italian manager Antonio Conte has defender Diego Costa after the Spaniard was seen drinking a beer following his side recent match, saying it’s okay for his players to enjoy one drink following an impressive result.
Images posted on social media in the aftermath of the West London club win over West Bromwich Albion appeared to show the Spanish international in the changing room following the match holding a bottle of beer.
The sight of seeing the former Atletico Madrid forward with the alcoholic beverage has confused some fans with the team boss implementing a stringent diet on his players at the Stamford Bridge outfit.
However, Conte hasn’t banned his team from consuming alcohol and now the Spaniard has indicated he doesn’t mind the Blues forward, or indeed any of his Blues, having a drink as a treat following a win.
The Blues manager argues that any drink is good for re-hydrating and as long as it’s only a beer and it’s had straight after the match they’re won’t be any issues.
Speaking on Costa’s drinking Conte said, according to Goal: “[It is good] for re-hydration, you can drink Coca-Cola or one beer. It’s good for recovery. But one. Not a lot. It’s good. After you finish the game, quickly, not an hour after the end.
“I have great professionals in my players. In this case, I don’t think a coach or a manager can say: ‘Do this’ or ‘Don’t do this’. I have great professionals and I know they will have the better attitude and behaviours in this situation.”
Costa is the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season having netted 12 times for the Blues in the top flight, adding his side to a nine game winning run.