Eidur the Spider

Conte: "Before the game, I told you the truth. Because I like to tell the truth and not lie. Diego stopped training because of his back." Conte: "For this reason he wasn’t available today. This is the truth.I don’t know [about any of the stories], the truth is what I told you." Conte: "We don’t know anything about this. If there are problems, I prefer to solve them in the dressing room. I repeat, IF.

Alonso on Costa: "You guys made up the story. Diego wasn't feeling well because of his back. He's happy & will have a great season at #CFC."

Would be hilarious if Diego turned up via stretch limo, WWE style right before the game kicked off in full kit.

I'm so confused right now.

Several #Chelsea sources believe Costa's alleged fitness problem is merely a smokescreen to disguise his disgruntlement at the club. [Times] Diego Costa wanted to rest this week, but #Chelsea expected him to train as part of Antonio Conte's strict fitness regime. [Mail] This sparked a series of blazing arguments, with Antonio Conte backing his medical team and leaving Diego Costa flabbergasted. [Mail]

Tianjin Quanjian want Diego Costa to become the next high profile player from Europe to join the Chinese Super League. [Standard] Tianjin Quanjian are prepared to pay £570,000-a-week, more than three times what Diego Costa currently earns at #Chelsea. [Standard] Tianjin Quanjian are prepared to pay in excess of £80m for Diego Costa who joined #Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for £32m in 2014. [Standard]

Diego Costa's Chelsea career could be coming to a fiery abrupt end. #CFC (Associated Press)

Matt Law ‏@Matt_Law_DT 8m8 minutes ago Chelsea and Abramovich are adamant they will not be bullied by Chinese money and they blame entire Costa bust up on the offer he's had #cfc Matt Law ‏@Matt_Law_DT 8m8 minutes ago Who knows what will happen with Costa but right now Roman A is saying he will keep him for two more years even if he doesn't play....

......Balls.

Just saw a video of Chelsea training from yesterday and Costa was there.

Why would he want to waste the form he is on in CHINA? I'm sorry but this money that everyone says is so difficult to turn down is a little absurd, he's not exactly a poor person is he? If an offer came in from Real Madrid, Barca or even his beloved Athletico I'd be like yeah fair enough I see the appeal, but for heaven's sake China? I guess it depends on whether a player sees football as a money making career, or something to leave a lasting legacy because let's be honest, who gives a fuck if he bangs them in in China? Right on the eve of a big away game too, Great.

FUCK FUCK FUCK! Just when things were going so well, what a bloody circus! If he wants the money to go to that shitehole of a 'league' then he's not even half the player and the man I thought he was. Jesus fucking christ!

A manager willing to give youth a proper chance. I need to lie down!

KOLN DEFIANT OVER HECTOR FC Koln insists they have not received a bid from Chelsea for Jonas Hector after the Times claimed the Premier League leaders were tracking the Germany international. Manager Peter Stoger said: "I would not say that any player of any club in the world is not for sale, but we have extended Jonas' contract and I think the player is clear - he knows what he wants. “If there is any club Jonas is interested in, then we would talk to them. But Jonas didn’t say that he wants to leave the club and go to Chelsea so it doesn’t matter. “If someone wants to leave the club then we have to talk about it, but not before."

They can have Ivanovic permanently in that case.

BREAKING NEWS Sky sources: Bournemouth have enquired about the possibility of taking John Terry on loan until the end of the season.

Guillem Balague Verified account ‏@GuillemBalague This is been WORKED ON, not CONFIRMED!!!! Batshuayi to West Ham, Antonio could move to CFC. Llorente too + Ulloa 2 replace him #letssee

20:56 HAMMERS BACK FOR BATSHUAYI West Ham are interested in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan, according to Sky sources. West Ham tried to sign him from Marseille last summer - they offered £31m but Batshuayi moved to Chelsea in a £33m deal. Batshuayi has not started a Premier League game this season and we understand Chelsea are in talks to loan him to Swansea City in a swap deal with Fernando Llorente. West Ham want to sign at least one striker this month and have already made bids for Sunderland's Jermain Defoe and Brentford's Scott Hogan.

I think he'll get more game-time than some think. I doubt Conte would bring him back from what has turned out, from a very rocky start, to be a very successful loan spell for him to just rot on the bench indefinitely. He's the perfect 'jack of many trades' that the team could do with, providing cover in the back three, the left wing back slot, hell he can even slot in as a DM. Obviously this could all be thrown back in my face if he does indeed just come back to make up the numbers, I just have a feeling Conte will have more for him.

DELIGHTED he's coming back. I've been hoping he'd get a shot in the squad for the longest time. Squawka News ‏@SquawkaNews 57m Eddie Howe on Nathan Ake's imminent return to Chelsea: "It looks like that will be the case, it's not 100% finalised yet."

That's why I didn't go for RLC, I got a feeling he'll be loaned out. I think a full 90 for Fabregas would be good, plus he should be able to carve apart lower league opposition and give chances to Michy.

More wishful thinking on my part to be honest. Same with Kenedy.

Oh I love a good cup game, let's try some fringe players out. I'd go with: Begovic Ivanovic Zouma Terry (If fit) Aina Fabregas Chalobah Kenedy Willian Batshuayi Musonda

This will be Spurs' big moment of the season. I'm sure the club shop will be selling dvd's of the game. Let's make sure our big moment comes in May.