ANTONIO CONTE has issued a hands-off warning over Diego Costa - but admits he cannot be sure the striker will stay at Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid are still chasing the Spain star, and Starsport revealed earlier this month how Costa had told the Blues he wants to leave.
Blues boss Conte insists he wants to keep the 27-year-old, who he believes is one of the best strikers in the world.
But he admitted he cannot give Blues fans any guarantees that Costa will start the season at Stamford Bridge.
Conte said: “In football, in my experience, I learned that 100% never exists because you don’t know what can happen in life.
"I am sure and I am very happy to train Diego and I know that he is our player and he is an important player for me, for team-mates, for the fans, for all of the people in Chelsea.
"I think Diego also feels this and I think this is important. Diego Costa is our player, he’s a fantastic player with fundamental importance.
"He’s very happy and is working hard. He showed he’s very strong player, one of the best in the world for me, and I am sure when he goes into our ideas he will score a lot of goals for us.
"We are Chelsea - one of the best clubs in the world. For this reason I think Diego Costa must stay in the best team in the world.”
Atletico have yet to make a formal bid for Costa despite their president Enrique Cerezo spending all summer talking up the possibility.
RETURN: Costa has been linked with a return to Atletico
That has upset Chelsea, who have made their feelings clear to the Madrid club in writing.
Conte said: “It’s normal to ask for respect. I know myself, my attitude, my behaviours. I don’t like to speak about the players of the other teams.
“I would like that the others do not speak about my players but I know this period is very strange. We respect all, but we want respect.
“In this moment this is football, the transfer market. I repeat - the most important thing is Diego Costa is Chelsea’s player now and it’s enough.”
Costa has stopped short of handing in a written transfer request, and it is understood he will not force a move through if the two clubs fail to agree a deal.
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