Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is confident that striker Diego Costa will play an important role for the Blues this season.

Costa has been consistently linked with a return to Atletico Madrid but Conte's recent comments suggest that he will continue to ply his trade in England and will be given a crucial role in West London as a main attacker.

"Diego is a forward, and he knows that in my idea of football, the forward must always be a point of reference for the team," said the Italian.

"I don't like the forward to move around the pitch, I like the forward to stay there, because you are a forward, and your commitment is to score the goal, stay in the right position.

"You're a forward, not a midfielder, not a defender.

"Diego Costa is a great player, and I know that he's a fantastic finisher. And I think that Diego can improve still a lot.

"I try to improve all my players. I'm seeing a good attitude from Diego, to work, to improve in different situations. I think Diego can give a lot to this team, and I'm sure that he'll have a good season.

"For me he's an important player, he had a fantastic season two years ago when Chelsea won the title."