The Spaniard launched a scathing attack against Conte in his recent interview at his home in Brazil. Costa claims that he is being made to feel like a ‘criminal’ after being outcasted from the Chelsea setup. In what has been a troubled few weeks for Chelsea with all their preseason woes, transfer hijacks and defeat against Burnley in the season opener, this interview from Costa is sure to add to the turbulence at Stamford Bridge.
It all comes down to a matter of belief. Conte and the Chelsea management claim that he was informed about his being surplus to requirements way back in January whereas Diego Costa claims he was informed via a text message while on tour with Spain and that he was extremely shocked and taken aback.
The 28-year-old hitman has scored 52 goals in three seasons in the Premier League and helped Chelsea win two titles in the process. The decision to sell him is startling but the Coach and the club have their reasons. Discipline has always been a matter of concern for Diego and it seems like the club are not ready to be taken for a ride by him.
Costa made a startling claim in his interview, “Everyone was very sad when things didn’t work out in the end for him at Chelsea. Speaking about ex-boss Jose Mourinho.”
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Read: 10 talking points from Gameweek 1 of the EPL.
Rewind 9 months back. “When I look back, there were a few moments that I made mistakes; plays which I shouldn’t have made given all the love and respect he gave to me,” Costa said back in December.
This was in reference to the “rats” described by the Chelsea fans who were part of getting Mourinho the sack. Costa was a shadow of the player he was the previous season scoring just thrice before the Portuguese was sacked. He did score 5 in the next 5 games though after the sack in a surprising recovery.
Costa has also angled and worked his way towards a return to Atletico Madrid which is another reason why feeling sad for him does not make sense.
“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,” he told the Mail at the weekend.
This claim makes Costa seem like a victim but it is an astonishing one considering the previous transfer windows. Ever since he joined, he has tried to make a return back to Atletico. He struggled in his time away from the pitch and struggled to learn English as well. In 2015, Marca reported that he will have talks with Atletico’s Chief to try and force a move back to Vicente Calderon.
The summer after that he said: “Everybody knows there was a possibility of going back to Atletico but it didn’t happen because of a few details. I thank the fans and Cholo (Diego Simeone) for his faith.
“Now I’m at Chelsea, I’m happy there and I’ve started the season with them. I hope Atletico do well this season like last year and win titles. I wanted to go back, I won’t lie about it.”
Of course, there is the incident of this January about his reported bust-up with fitness coach Julio Tous and the mystery back injury which kept him out of the game against Leicester the next day.
Costa said: “No, no, no. That was a punishment for the attitude I had shown and for not behaving in the best way.” When asked about his back injury.
“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 [Atletico manager] wants me. It is very clear. I have always had a bond with him. The fans and people love me there. They respect me.”
Also, reports of a bumper money move to Chinese side Tianjin Quanjin were doing rounds and it seemed like Costa’s head was not in the right place. He suffered a massive dip in form in the second half of the season.
One can see Costa’s side of the story and sympathize for his dip in form too nonetheless. With 6 months left in the campaign, anyone informed that they would not be a part of the campaign next season would not have their head in the right place.
If whatever the story about the text message Conte sent is true there is hard to feel sorry for Conte and it is highly unprofessional on the Italian’s part. But feeling sorry for Costa just does not make sense as he has been highly unprofessional as well.
