Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte is known for his extremely hard-line approach to leadership, and how effective it usually is. Conte is a no nonsense kind of guy with his players and perhaps striker Diego Costa knows that as well as anybody.
The Italian sent a text message to all of the players on his Premier League title winning side wishing them a good holiday, and telling them to stay fit. Costa reportedly replied in a humorous way, and he was then told that he was no longer part of the Italian’s plans.
Spanish newspaper AS claims to have seen the message, and according to AS, the full message read: “Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan”. (h/t The Independent)
Costa experienced a lot of glory this season at Stamford Bridge, but he also had a lot of tension and tumult with Conte. In mid-season he was rumored to be out the door, and now this text message would seem to confirm that he will be transferring out of Chelsea this summer.
According to the BBC, Chelsea’s leading scorer has showed the exchange to fellow players.
“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season,” said Costa. “It is a shame, I have already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide.”
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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