Chelsea transfer news: Blues stars ‘fear they could be discarded next’as Diego Costa’s clash with Antonio Conte continues
Popular Spanish striker is in self-enforced exile after being told he can leave despite scoring 20 times in title charge
ANTONIO CONTE'S ongoing row with Diego Costa is reportedly threatening to affect the rest of the Chelsea squad.
The Spaniard is a popular figure in the dressing room - especially after his 20-goal haul inspired their title charge.
And the reports other stars feel they could also be brutally discarded by Conte.
Costa's close pals who remain at Stamford Bridge include Willian, David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas.
Chelsea have ordered the wantaway striker to return to training after a move to Atletico Madrid failed to materialise.
But the hitman, 28, is so angered he is prepared to forfeit his £180,000-a-week wages in order to remain in his native Brazil.
Costa refereed to Conte as a great coach but suggested he "lacked charisma" and was more used to working in "serious" Italy.
The Spanish international is a notorious training-ground prankster which may have contributed to his situation.
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Chelsea's season has got off to a disastrous start with Conte at loggerheads with the club's board over transfer policy.
And morale-sapping defeats in the Community Shield against Arsenal and Premier League opener with Burnley have not helped.
Gary Cahill and Fabregas are suspended after seeing red against the Clarets while Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard have just returned to training.
Chelsea face a trip to Tottenham on Sunday knowing another defeat threatens to further disrupt morale.
Conte claimed his side would not do a Jose Mourinho - in reference to the Special One's shoddy title defence which saw him axed - but warning signs are starting to appear.
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