Diego Costa of Chelsea and Gabriel of Arsenal argue during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on September 19, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
London – The Spanish-Brazilian Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who last weekend returned to the pitch after serving his three-match ban, said he will not change his style of play "because of what people may think of it."
"I've got this far thanks to the way I play the game. I'm not going to change that because of what people may think of it," Costa told the BBC program 'Football Focus'.
"I think that football has always had a passionate, aggressive side, with players giving their all. People have to get used to this," said the Spanish international, 27.
Costa, who arrived two years ago to the London club from Atletico Madrid, has been harshly criticized by coaches, fans and the media for his aggressive style of play on the pitch.
"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," said Costa.
The forward, key to the team led by José Mourinho, scored 20 goals in the 2014-2015 season, but has only scored three times this season.
Chelsea, champions of the Premier League, is twelfth so far, ten points behind leaders Manchester City, after an uneven start to the season, which has added four defeats in nine matches.
"Things aren't going so well for the team right now, but it's not because of the changing room. The atmosphere is great. During the year I've spent here, there hasn't been one argument," said the Spanish-Brazilian.
He also praised Coach José Mourinho, as a "very clever" technician with "the affinity he has with his players."
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