Diego Costa Reveals Antonio Conte Has Asked Him To Leave Chelsea
Reuters / Eddie Keogh
Chelsea star Diego Costa has revealed that he has been told by manager Antonio Conte to leave the club this summer.
There is no denying that Costa has been a cornerstone of Chelsea’s success this season, as the Brazil-born Spain International scored 20 goals and registered 8 assists in the Premier League.
Despite being instrumental in the West Londoners’ bid for the league title, his future at Chelsea has been a subject of rampant speculation for many months, with reports suggesting that he could be on the way out of Stamford Bridge this summer.
Recent reports says that the 28-year-old was being linked with a summer return to Atletico Madrid, but considering the Spanish club’s transfer embargo, AC Milan have established themselves as the frontrunners in the race to sign Costa.
With rumour mill buzzing about his future every day, the striker dropped a bombshell on Wednesday, by revealing that Antonio Conte had sent him a message to say that he is no longer part of his plans at Chelsea.
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Speaking after Spain’s 2-2 draw against Colombia, Costa said: “I’m a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that’s it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.”
“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. It’s a shame, I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. You have to find a team.”
Costa, who spent four seasons at Atletico Madrid before joining Chelsea in 2014, also admitted he might be open for a return to Vicente Calderon, despite the Spanish club’s transfer embargo, which made them ineligible to register players until the January transfer window.
“Being five months without playing? I do not know, it’s complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love to live in Madrid,” Costa added.
“It would be nice to go back, but it’s difficult to be four or five months without playing. It’s a World Cup year and there are many things to think about. I need to play, just that.”
Reuters / Craig Brough
Now that Costa’s future at Stamford Bridge is nearing its end, the Blues will be desperate to sign either Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata in the upcoming summer transfer window to reestablish their strike force.
Written by Pragadeesh Shanmugam 
United fan since Edwin Van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to earn a dramatic Euro glory. Firmly believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or until he plays this sport. One time writer for GiveMeSport and Roar. A regular contributor to Sportskeeda and BlameFootball.