This was it today- the official point of no return was reached, and then crossed. Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte famously told Diego Costa by text message in May that the striker is no longer part of his plans this season. It was an ill-advised move for both him and his club, as now all the would be buyers for Costa know that Stamford Bridge absolutely must move him no matter what, and that drives the price way down.
Costa is reportedly inching closer to his Atletico Madrid return, but given the transfer ban at the La Liga club, it’s a complicated situation. One thing’s for sure, he won’t be playing in a blue Chelsea shirt this season. Antonio Conte made certain of that today.
Quoting two sources, first The Telegraph, who write:
“Head coach Conte told Costa not to return for the start of pre-season training on Monday and does not plan to take him on pre-season tour to China and Singapore next week – even if a return to Atletico Madrid is not complete.”
Next, we cite ESPN, who report: “Diego Costa has been excused from the start of Chelsea’s preseason training, a source has confirmed to ESPN FC.”
Chelsea players reported to the Cobham training facility on Monday, and the ESPN report goes on to say that there is no definitive timeline for Costa to join up. The Telegraph report goes on to say that Atletico opened with a £26m bid for the striker, but Stamford Bridge want nearly double that amount. With such a wide chasm between the two sides at the bargaining table, expect this transfer saga to drag out a bit before it’s resolved. That said, Antonio Conte remains steadfast in his decision that Costa must be sent away from the club.
The two men had a falling out this past season that is obviously irreparable at this point. Conte remains stubborn despite his missing out on his #1 transfer target, Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United instead.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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