Conte: Costa not for sale

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has moved to end speculation over Diego Costa's future, insisting that the 27-year-old striker is a key part of his plans for next season.

Costa has been repeatedly linked with a summer move away from Stamford Bridge, with a return to Atlético Madrid thought to be the most likely destination for the Brazil born Spain international.

But Conte has poured cold water on the rumours by insisting that the player must stay at Chelsea.

Costa joined the Blues two years ago from Atlético for £32 million, and has scored an impressive 32 Premier League goals in 54 appearances for the West Londoners, helping them win the title in his first season under José Mourinho.

But last season Costa struggled for form and fitness, and often cut the figure of a man unhappy in his surroundings.

Rumours began to circulate that the former Celta Vigo loanee was planning a summer return to Spain.

But it now appears that Costa will not be allowed to leave, and that he is key to Conte's plans.

The arrival of Michy Batshuayi for £34 million from Marseille further stoked the fire of rumours suggesting Costa was on his way out, but the two could well be paired together, as Conte is said to be planning on using a 4-2-4 formation -- which he initially tried to impliment at Juventus five years ago, before switching to the 3-5-2 to which he is more associated. So there would be room for two central strikers in the Chelsea side.