Diego Costa Is Complicating Matters For Himself

Chelsea striker, Diego Costa has found himself in an unwanted situation at Chelsea. The Brazil-born Spanish attacker revealed that he received a text message of dismissal from his Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte. Conte has generally tried to shy away from the brouhaha over Costa. 

On occasions that he spoke on the subject, he suggested that Costa has been in the known since January a summer move was in the offing. Costa’s preferred destination is his former club, Atletico Madrid, who have been banned from registering a player until January, 2018. 

Even if a move to Atletico succeeds, Costa has two options. Either sit out until January, 2018 to begin playing competitive football or be loaned out for six months.

Costa has been a good servant to Chelsea since his £35m move from Atletico Madrid to the Blues in 2014. He has led the club to two EPL titles with 59 goals in 120 appearances. 

But his current status as persona non grata at the Stamford Bridge has been exacerbated by his actions. Costa has made it his prime motive to frustrate Chelsea and Conte. He has refused to return to the club after he was initially given an extended one week break from pre-season. 

The club has made it clear that their wish is for Conte to return to London, get himself match fit, and make himself available for selection, as his contract with the club prescribes. 

Yet Costa isn’t interested. He prefers to remain in Brazil and holiday around. He went to bars, restaurant, and any place go-able. Occasionally, he teases Chelsea by flirting with Atletico and Mourinho. 

In a spectacular style, Costa visited a local circus in Brazil and was invited to take part. He obliged, took to stage and performed alongside a clown. What is a professional footballer doing in Brazil partying whilst the season has begun?

Conte’s decision to dismiss his star man over a text message is totally unacceptable, but Costa also has a contractual responsibility to conduct himself in a professional manner.