Chelsea boss Antonio Conte laughs off Diego Costa's claim that he has been treated like "a criminal"
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has laughed off Diego Costa’s claim that he has been “treated like a criminal” and insisted the striker “is the past.”
Costa this week said he has been driven out of Stamford Bridge by Conte and has made a fresh plea for Chelsea to lower their asking price and allow him to return to Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea maintain that, under the terms of his contract, Costa must return to the club to train and work to make himself available for selection.
But Conte did nothing to suggest that he would be welcomed back and clearly finds Costa’s version of events over what has happened absurd.
Asked about his thoughts on Costa’s allegation that he has been “treated like a criminal”, Conte burst out laughing and said: “It’s great, it’s great. I prefer to laugh.
“It’s great because everyone in Chelsea knows very well what happened last season with Diego. It’s funny this interview.”
When it was put him whether or not he would play Costa if the 28-year-old returned and got himself match fit, Conte first asked: “Who?” He then added: “No. I’m not interested to continue this issue. I repeat, for me, is the past. Stop.”
Having ignored another order to return from Chelsea, Costa on Friday pleaded for the club to drop their asking price.
“I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them,” said Costa. “But if Atletico and Chelsea don't come to an agreement and Atletico don't make a big effort, I can't keep on wanting to play for a club that isn't going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.
“I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it's to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won't be possible.
“What I know is that this offer Chelsea will get is bigger than what they paid (when they signed Costa from Atletico for £32.5million in 2014), so I've given them something back in all senses.”
Asked how much Chelsea are demanding in order to sell him, Costa replied: “I don't know, but my agent said that Chelsea want something that Atletico can't get near.
Diego Costa's latest interview with ESPN
“When we heard that [Antonio] Conte didn't want me anymore, my agent went to find out if there was interest from Atletico for me coming back. Of course for the warmth and respect that I earned there, they showed interest. But they wouldn't pay a fortune. Atletico is a team growing every year, a big team, but they can't pay an extraordinary amount.
“Chelsea have offered me to several clubs, but I was very clear with them. I said that if I'm not part of the manager's plans, I would like to choose my destination. I'm not going to let them decide just to get more money.
“When I came to Chelsea they paid a lot less compared to what's being offered to them. I think they should take into account everything that I've done. It's not my fault that I'm not at the club. If it was down to me I'd be playing. It's already been one month. Holidays are good but it gets tiresome.
“I didn't provoke the situation, but now that it's come to this the club has to think in two ways. Of course they need to get something back [in a sporting sense], like I gave them on the pitch, but financial as well. After three years they will receive a fee higher than what they paid.”
Costa claimed he would not be given a fair chance if he returned to Chelsea while Conte is still in charge by adding: “It won't be the same as before [between him and Conte], and we don't know if the fight for the position will be fair. Because of me having exposed the [text] message I understand that he'll be annoyed, so if I go back I have to see if things would be clean, just and correct.
“That's how I like things. If I go back now I don't think it will be a fair situation. It won't be an honest fight for a position [in the team].”
