Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Champions give Costa time off
CHELSEA striker Diego Costa is missing the start of pre-season training after being given time off.
The 2 8 - y e a r- o l d ’s absence has been mutually agreed and he did not join the squad as they returned to work yesterday.
It is unclear exactly when the Spain international will be back training with the Premier League champions, who are due to travel to China and Singapore next week for their summer tour.
Chelsea said Costa “should have an extra few days off”.
Costa claimed last month Chelsea boss Antonio Conte had informed him in a text message he was not part of the Italian’s plans going forward at Stamford Bridge.
He has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, who he left for Chelsea in 2014, despite the Spanish club’s transfer embargo.
Last month, Atletico lost an appeal against a Fifaimposed sanction which means, while they can still buy players this summer, they will not be able to register or play them until January.
Costa scored 20 goals in 35 games as Chelsea regained the Premier League title last season but speculation about his future was rife.
Costa said after scoring in Spain’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia in June:“Things don’t work like that. The fight for a place has to be fair.
“When there is a fair fight you stay and fight but if there isn’t then you have to go.”