Diego Costa opens up on Arsenal and Liverpool clashes and relationship with Jose Mourinho

Diego Costa insists he will not change his ways

DIEGO COSTA has defended his reputation as Chelsea's bully boy striker.

Costa has been banned for three games twice this year - after stamping on Liverpool defender Emre Can and clashing with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.

The Blues star has been below par this term by his own high standards having scored 20 Premier League goals in his first season in English football last year.

But Costa insists he will not be changing his ways any time soon.

"I've got this far thanks to the way I play the game," he said.

"I'm not going to change that because of what people may think of it.

"I think that football has always had a passionate, aggressive side, with players giving their all. People have to get used to this.

"Some people seem to think football is like theatre, and that everyone has to play the good guy.

"But I think that you transform when you cross the white line, you're not the same person as off it. I give no quarter and I ask for none. Out there I'm going to fight for my team and do the best I can.

 

"Afterwards, when the match is over, I have my family and my friends. I have fun like a normal person. But on the pitch don't try and put wings on me, as I am no angel."

Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for £32million last summer, winning the Premier League and Capital One Cup in his first season in English football.

And the Brazil-born hitman feels part of his problem has been the differences between referees in England and Spain.

"I receive fouls that would result in yellow or red cards in Spain, but here it's seen as part of the game," Costa told the BBC.

 

"The countries have different footballing theories. But I'm not going to start complaining.

"It's my job to adapt to the culture and the way the game is played here, not to complain. I think that my efforts are there for all to see."

Chelsea have struggled this season and are 12th in the Premier League, but Costa claims the spirit amongst the squad is as good as ever.

"Things aren't going so well for the team right now, but it's not because of the changing room," he added.

 

Costa scored 20 Premier League goals in his first season at Chelsea

"The atmosphere is great. During the year I've spent here, there hasn't been one argument. There are normally disagreements in all changing rooms, but it hasn't happened here.

"Before the season started, the coach warned us. We had a meeting with him and he warned us about our mentality.

"Our coach is very clever - he saw the situation we are in at the moment before it happened."

There have been reports of a rift between Mourinho and Costa but the Spain international is a big fan of his boss.

 

"What has surprised me with Mourinho is the affinity he has with his players," Costa said.

"Everyone talks about Mourinho's image on the touchline, how serious and even arrogant he is.

"But he really has an affinity with his players in the changing room, on a day-to-day basis."