If any Chelsea fan out there were still holding out hope that the conflict between star striker Diego Costa and manager Antonio Conte could be resolved and the Spanish international could return to the field at Stamford Bridge, it’s probably time to move on.
In an explosive interview with the Daily Mail, from his childhood home in Brazil, Costa has held back absolutely nothing in telling his version of events which led to him being told to train with the reserves and held hostage as he waits for a move away from Chelsea to materialize.
According to Costa, it all started in January, when he was set to renew his current contract and further commit his future to the club, at which point he believes Conte intervened and betrayed his player — quotes from the Daily Mail:
“In January, things happened with the coach. I was on the brink of renewing my contract and they put the brakes on it. I suspect the manager was behind it. He asked for that to happen.
“His ideas are very fixed and clear. I have seen the sort of person he is. He has his own opinion and that will not change. I respect him as a great coach. He has done a good job and I can see that, but as a person, no. He is not a coach who is very close with his players. He is very distant. He doesn’t possess charisma.”
…
“I am waiting for Chelsea to set me free. I didn’t want to leave. I was happy. When the manager does not want you, you have to go. If you were to ask all my team-mates, they’d say the same. They send messages saying “I miss you” and that they love me.
“I am always talking with the boys — particularly Cesc Fabregas, David Luiz and Willian. We have banter over WhatsApp. They ask how I am. They really love me for the person I am. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be saying they miss me and love me.”
…
“Why won’t they let me go if they don’t want me? I have to do what I have to do. I have to think of myself. I’ve been a good boy here and tried to do the right thing.
“My desire is to go to Atletico [Madrid]. I’ve spoken to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. I said, ‘If the manager doesn’t want me, I want to go to Atletico Madrid.’ I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China or other teams. The language is better for me in Spain. If I’m off, I’m going to the club I want to go to — not the club that’s paying the most.
“Diego Simeone wants me. It is very clear. I have always had a bond with him. The fans and people love me there. They respect me.”
…
“They want me to be there training with the reserves. I wouldn’t be allowed access to the first-team dressing room and I would have no contact at all with the guys. I’m not a criminal. I don’t think it is fair after all I have done to be treated like that.
“They gave me a week extra off but since then it’s fines all the way. They want me training with the reserves. I am not going to do that. I am not a criminal and I am not in the wrong here. So, if they need to fine me, let them fine me. I take the hit every week but I’m not driven by money. The important thing is to be happy with how I live.”
18 days remain in the summer transfer window in Spain. Costa would almost certainly have to accept a sizable pay cut in order to leave Chelsea and return to Atletico Madrid, something he appears wholly willing to do, based on the above quotes.
