Diego Costa slams Chelsea boss Antonio Conte over treatment: 'I'm not a criminal'
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Updated 14/08/2017 at 06:45 GMT
Diego Costa has criticised Antonio Conte's treatment of him this summer and pleaded with Chelsea to allow him to join Atletico Madrid.
Diego Costa of Spain looks on during a friendly match between Spain and Colombia
Image credit: Getty Images
The 28-year-old claims he was told he was not wanted via text message by Conte at the end of last season but has yet to leave the club.
Costa said he was happy at Stamford Bridge until Conte made it clear he had no future in the Italian's team, and now wants to return to the club he left to join Chelsea in 2014.
The striker has not returned for training as he does not want to train with the club's reserves and is happy training in Brazil until his future is resolved.
"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," he told 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. 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.
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Diego Costa y Antonio Conte
Image credit: Getty Images
Costa, who said he feels Conte "doesn't possess charisma", was angry with how he was told to leave.
He added:
There are ways of going about it. You don't do it by text message. You should be honest and direct to someone's face.
Costa hopes to sort his future out quickly but is prepared to miss a year of playing rather than move somewhere other than Atletico, who are under a transfer embargo until January. He said:
My desire is to go to Atletico. I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China or other teams. If I'm off, I'm going to the club I want to go to - not the club that's paying the most. I am open to being a year in Brazil without playing, even if Chelsea fine me for a year and don't pay me. I'll come back stronger. If I was in the wrong, I'd go back now and do as they say.
'My team-mates really love me'
Costa said he is in constant contact with colleagues at Chelsea
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.
'Mourinho called to check I am okay'
Costa also revealed that his former manager at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, had been in contact.
Jose has called me, direct to my phone, just to check I am okay and to see how I am. He wished me good luck. I never had any problems with Jose, we have a strong relationship. Everyone was very sad when things didn't work out in the end for him at Chelsea.
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