Chelsea's Diego Costa vows not to change agrgressive style of play

Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists he will not alter his aggressive style of play after serving his three-match suspension.

The 26-year-old was retrospectively given the ban this week for violent conduct after an independent regulatory commission on Friday ruled he deliberately stamped on the ankle of the Liverpool midfielder Emre Can during Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

Although Costa claims there was no malicious intent behind the stamp, he will take the decision in his stride but not let it affect the way he approaches the game.

"As far as what happened on Tuesday, the main thing is when I get home I can go home and I can go to sleep knowing that I've not done anything wrong, because I never meant to do that and it was not on purpose," the Spain international told the Daily Telegraph.

"I'm not saying I'm an angel. I'm no angel. You can see that. But every time I play I will play the same way because that's the way I am. That's what I need to do in order to support my family. That's my bread and butter."

“Also, that's what I need to do for this club and for the fans of this club, for the supporters and for all the people involved in this club."

"On the pitch I will always be like that. That's my character and I will always compete and compete - always. I'm a different guy off the pitch, as you can see, but on the pitch I will not change."

“And I want to say this again: you can look at the video and interpret it however you want, but I know when I get home I can sleep in peace because I know I didn't mean to do it."