Costa: I’m not a criminal

> Unwanted Chelsea striker takes swipe at manager Conte <

DIEGO COSTA has accused Antonio Conte of lacking charisma and being distant with the players.

Despite being Chelsea’s leading striker for the past few seasons in the Premier League, Conte let Costa know he was no longer needed at Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer.

The Spain international is yet to find another club as he has his heart set on a return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa has not reported back to Chelsea this summer and was back in his childhood home in Brazil while the Blues were in action against Burnley.

There were rumours of a rift between Costa and Conte earlier in the year and the 28year-old was reportedly close to moving to the Chinese Super League. But their relationship now seems irreparable with Costa insisting he has no respect for Conte as a person.

“In January, things happened with the coach. I was on the brink of renewing my contract and they put the brakes on it,” Costa told the Daily Mail.

“I suspect the manager was behind it. He asked for that to happen.

“His ideas are very fixed and clear. I have seen the sort of person he is. He has his own opinion and that will not change.

“I respect him as a great coach. He has done a good job and I can see that, but as a person, no.

“He is not a coach who is very close with his players. He is very distant. He doesn’t possess charisma.”

“They want me to be there training with the reserves. I wouldn’t be allowed access to the first-team dressing room and I would have no contact at all with the guys,” Costa added.

“I’m not a criminal! I don’t think it is fair after all I have done to be treated like that.

“They gave me a week extra off but since then it’s fines all the way... I am not in the wrong here. So, if they need to fine me, let them fine me.

“I take the hit every week but I’m not driven by money. The important thing is to be happy with how I live.

“I’m here with my parents and people who respect me.”

Costa has also revealed he has refused to delete the original text Conte sent him.

He added: “I was with the Spain national team, alone in my room, when it came through.

“It was a shock to get it like that. I was showing it to my teammates and they could not believe how he had done it.

“I was angry at the time. Now I am more calm. I have not deleted the message. If people accuse me of lying, I can show them.

“It was clear, saying that he didn’t count on me and wishing me the best for the future. Full stop.”

Latest news coming out of Stamford Bridge reveals that the club is ready to spend £130 million (RM 715m) before the end of the transfer window to try to keep Conte happy.

Conte, who has repeatedly said he needs more players, has been promised three more by owner Roman Abramovich before the transfer window closes.

“We have a small squad… Everyone can see the situation, not because the coach shouts, ‘I want this’, or, ‘I want this’,” he said.

“The situation is very clear. We are trying to improve the situation but, for me and for my players, the best way now is to be focused on the pitch, to work, to try to improve and don’t think of the other situation.

“But, for sure, we hope, in the future, to improve this situation because you can see.”

Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta backed his manager’s call for more quality reinforcements as he said: “When you see the players we lost, and the players we have signed in, they are not the same.” – Express Newspapers