‘He Told Me He Doesn’t Count On Me For Next Season’ – Antonio Conte Ends Diego Costa’s Chelsea Career By Text Message

Chris Wright

8th, June 2017

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Diego Costa has revealed that he is hoping to leave Chelsea this summer after seeing his relationship with manager Antonio Conte deteriorate to the point of non-existence.

Indeed, the 28-year-old striker claims he received a text message from Conte after Spain’s 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday to inform him that he will not be considered as part of the Italian’s plans at Stamford Bridge next season.

This despite ending the 2016/17 campaign as the Blues’ top goalscorer, with 26 goals in 46 appearances.

As quoted by BBC Sport, Costa told reporters:

My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. I suppose I’ve had a bad season so I can’t go on.

I’m going to be honest, the other day, Conte sent me a message saying he does not count on me for next season, so I’ll have to find a way out.

I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. You have to find a (new) team.

By his own admission, Costa would prefer to return to Atletico Madrid, but the club’s ongoing transfer ban may well hinder the prospect:

I do not know, it’s complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love to live in Madrid.

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.

I have no preference for a league, I just want to play.

A weird one no doubt. We can only imagine what a pain in the derriere Costa must be to work with, but the guy gets results.

Obviously, Conte has other Lukaku-shaped irons in the fire but doing your dirty work via a cold, impersonal text message never reflects well.

Still, Conte is an ambitious coach who demands 100% of his players’ effort, heart and spirit.

He obviously feels he’s not getting that from Costa and so the cord has to be cut, no matter how ruthlessly.

Posted in Chelsea, Managers, Newsnow, Transfers & Rumours

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1 Comment

  1. Bruno says:

    Conte is old school, he was never going to tolerate Costa for long. I think Hazard – if he keeps on saying “I’d listen to Real Madrid” – might be the next. Or not, because at Chelsea, the final decision is always from the russian mafioso.

    By the way, I think Hazard is the perfect example of the spoiled modern footballer. I’m not saying he’s not a great player but it’s just impossible to like him.

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