Diego Costa defies Chelsea and plans to fly to Madrid to force Atletico deal
Diego Costa plans to continue his Chelsea exile in Madrid in his latest attempt to try to force through a return to Atletico.
Striker Costa released a statement on Thursday reiterating the fact he will not return to Chelsea, despite the club ordering him back to their Cobham training ground.
Chelsea maintain that Costa is required to return to training and work to make himself fit for selection under the terms of his contract.
The Blues have already fined Costa for going on strike and will continue to do so for every week he remains away.
But Costa, who could face the threat of legal action from Chelsea, said: “My destination is already made. I must return to Atletico Madrid.
“It turns out that there is the impasse that Chelsea does not want to release me. But I believe that this situation will be resolved now on my return to Spain.”
It is understood Costa still has a house in Madrid from his four-year spell at Atletico, which he is now expected to travel to from Brazil.
Atletico are not thought to be in any rush to meet Chelsea’s asking price for Costa, as they cannot register the 28-year-old until January under the terms of their transfer embargo.
Chelsea are adamant they will not let Costa go for a knockdown fee, but, in theory, the club could investigate trying to sue the player and his advisors for the difference between his sale price and market value if it was felt he eventually left at a reduced price.
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This is not the first time Costa has skipped training in a bid to force a return to Atletico.
Last year, the Spain striker sat out three days of pre-season training in America after informing Chelsea he wanted to leave. Chelsea wrote to Atletico twice to warn that they would report them to FIFA if they continued their public pursuit of the player and the Spanish club signed Kevin Gameiro instead.
Costa was forced to back down, but again asked to leave Chelsea in January following interest from China.
It was at that point head coach Antonio Conte first told the player and his advisors that they could find a new club this summer.
Conte reiterated his stance in a text message sent to Costa in June, which last season’s top scorer made public and has kept as supposed evidence he has been forced out.
The club and Conte have attempted to increase optimism around Stamford Bridge following the defeat to Burnley last Saturday. Ahead of this weekend’s difficult trip to face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, Chelsea held a family day for players and staff to enjoy with their children on Wednesday.
Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is hoping to give Chelsea a boost by making himself available for the Tottenham game.
With Cesc Fabregas suspended, Conte would welcome the availability of summer signing Bakayoko.
Eden Hazard also came through a practice match against Queens Park Rangers unscathed and there is a chance he could be on the substitutes' bench against Tottenham if Pedro is not fit.
Roberto Martinez has said he would love to have Hazard in his Belgium squad for the September internationals against Gibraltar and Greece, but Conte will block any attempt to call the forward up.
