Stoke boss Mark Hughes: This is what I admire about Chelsea star Diego Costa

Hughes’s Stoke will be trying to derail the Chelsea juggernaut tomorrow as the Blues look to make it 13 straight wins in the Premier League.

Costa has been a big part of the Blues’ resurgence under Antonio Conte, netting 13 times to top the scoring charts.

Hughes, who scored 39 goals in 123 games for Chelsea in the Nineties, has no problem with the Spaniard getting physical as he seeks his 50th Chelsea goal.

“People criticise him or question his approach but I was a bit like him in my attitude to going about my game,” said Mark Hughes. “Sometimes he gets his retaliation in first, which is probably what I did too.

“There are certain traits he displays that I quite admire, and I haven’t got a problem with that, whereas others have.

“He very quickly finds out what defenders don’t want to do. I seem to recall doing that. I wondered, ‘Is this defender going to fight me, get tight to me, or drop off me?'”

Under-fire Ryan Shawcross will attempt to shackle Costa after his mistakes cost Stoke two goals in their 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday.

Hughes recalled a previous collision between the pair in the League Cup in October 2015. “Straightaway Ryan set his stall out and Costa didn’t complete the game and went off injured,” said the Stoke boss.

“I’m not suggesting anything untoward but you must understand the guy you’re up against and make it difficult for him, and I think we’ll see that from Ryan.”

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is more concerned about the other end of his team, telling goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois he can become a Stamford Bridge legend.

Courtois is set to open talks on a new, improved contract in the New Year despite his current deal still having two-and-a-half years to run.

The Premier League leaders are keen to secure the long-term future of the keeper, who is a long-standing target for Real Madrid and has previously spoken of his desire to return to La Liga, where he spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Courtois’ outstanding form this season has contributed to the Blues’ rise to the head of the table with the keeper conceding just two goals during the club’s run of 12 successive league wins.

And Conte is in no doubt about the importance of a player he rates as one of the best in the world in his position, and insists Courtois will be going nowhere.

“Should Thibaut get a new contract? I think that’s a club decision – but, in my opinion, yes,” he said. “A goalkeeper like Thibaut deserves to stay at Chelsea for many years and become a type of player to stay and write the story of this club, to become a legend at this club.

“Thibaut is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeepers in the world. He’s working really well. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper. He stays with us and this is the most important thing.”

Conte believes there is more to come from Courtois, and sees similarities with Italy international Gianluigi Buffon.

“Their histories are similar,” said Conte. “Gigi started his career early in Parma and the same for Thibaut, who started to play early. I hope Thibaut can repeat the same career as Gigi Buffon.

“Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers of all time. I stayed with him at Juventus before as team-mates, and then as his coach in the national team also. Buffon is a legend for football, and I hope Thibaut has the same career as Gigi.

“Yes, he has great potential to continue to do great things, to reach great targets.”

Conte’s side will be strengthened by the return of Costa and N’Golo Kante after the pair were suspended for the Boxing Day defeat of Bournemouth.

Michy Batsushayi was again overlooked on Monday despite Costa’s absence and Conte admitted he had spoken with the striker who has yet to make his first Premier League start since arriving from Marseille last summer.

“He’s working very well, he’s improving a lot, and I’m sure that he will have his chance to play,” said Conte. “He wants to stay. It’s not easy to play in this league. And it’s important to adapt to this league in physical and tactical situations.”

Source: Express.co.uk