The Spain international was left out
of the Blues squad, and his manager insists that high wages in the CSL should
not turn players' heads
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has told
his players "money is not everything" as speculation linking Diego
Costa with a move to the Chinese Super League continues.
Costa was not included in Chelsea's
squad for the 3-0 Premier League win at Leicester City on Saturday amid reports
he has been offered £30million a year to move to Tianjin Quanjian.
Reports claimed the club's top
goalscorer had an argument with Conte and a fitness coach in training having
become unsettled by the approach, while his agent Jorge Mendes fuelled
speculation by holding a meeting with the Chinese club.
But Conte, who insisted Costa had only
missed the match because of a back injury, issued a warning to his players
about the temptation of China and compared it to the prestige of playing for
Chelsea.
The Italian's words come as Willian is
also linked as a target for teams in the CSL after Chelsea already sold Oscar
and John Obi Mikel to teams in the competition.
"The money is not
everything," Conte told reporters.
"When you play for a great team
like Chelsea, you must be pleased.
"I think we are a great club and
it is a great honour to play for Chelsea. For this reason I don't see [China]
as a threat for my players.
"I have to look at the past.
Oscar played with us, had a good offer from China and he went.
"But this league is really
competitive and every player wants to come and play in this league.
"This league is the first in the
world because of a lot of positive things, so I don't think these offers from
China are a threat for our league."
Chelsea are seven points clear of Tottenham and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
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