Chelsea player to hand in formal transfer request

Love him or hate him, there is no denying the fact that Diego Costa has had a major impact on the Premier league.

The Brazilian born Spanish striker has been a revelation, having played a crucial role in Chelsea’s last two Premier league triumphs.

Costa’s goals up front were a major reason why Conte, and Jose before him, were able to land England’s biggest prize. But it looks like his time at the club has come to an end.

At the end of last season, Conte messaged Costa and told him to look for another club in the summer. Costa, who was miffed that Conte did not tell him in person, has accepted that and will now force a move back to Atletico Madrid.

Conte will hand in a formal transfer request this week, with his lawyers trying to push for a move back to Atletico in January. The Spanish club have a transfer ban that will not allow them to purchase anyone in this window, which means that they will have to wait until January to make any additions to their squad.

This is what Costa’s representatives told the media,

“When he was already with the Spain national team [for a friendly against Colombia last June] and before travelling to Brazil to enjoy his holidays he was released from Chelsea by SMS by the coach Antonio Conte.”

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“Obviously, this release, in the way it was done, and how it became known by everyone, was unfair treatment and a lack of respect to the player on the part of Conte which is unacceptable and inexcusable.”

“Chelsea have not just not denied nor corrected the coach, either in public or private, but instead renewed his contract. This shows that they knew about and were in agreement with the release of Diego Costa and the way it was done. Such discriminatory behaviour makes it impossible for Costa to return to Chelsea while Antonio Conte is coach.”

“There is no way that he can continue to play for Chelsea, a message which has been communicated various times to those in charge there. And he will not play for any other club that is not Atletico Madrid, a club where he had sporting success, but above all where he was always respected, even after he had joined Chelsea.”