Diego
Costa has revealed that Antonio Conte has told him that he does not feature
in his plans for Chelsea next season.
The 28-year-old, who scored 20 goals in 35 league appearances in their
title-winning campaign last season, says he received a text from his Italian
boss and will now be looking for his next club.
Speaking after Wednesday night's Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia, Costa said:
"I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there.
"Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and
that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.
"It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to
decide. But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not
want me there. You have to find a team."
The Spain international, who didn't play against Colombia, has always stated
a desire to one day return to Atletico Madrid where he played between
2010-2014.
But any move to be reunited with former boss Diego Simeone in La Liga is not
possible until at least February because of Atletico's transfer ban.
Heading to China could also be back on the cards with Sky sources reporting
in May that Super League club Tianjin Quanjian were confident of landing
Costa in the summer.
Conte repeatedly said during the season he could not guarantee Costa would
stay, but Conte continued to pick his top scorer in the Premier League
finale.
Costa missed Chelsea's trip to Leicester in January when Sky sources said a
training-ground row ended with Conte telling the player to "go to China".
Romelu Lukaku, who has not extended his contract with Everton, has been
linked with a return to Stamford Bridge and the striker told Sky Sports News
HQ on Monday that he knew where he would be playing next season.
Chelsea signed Costa in 2014 for £32m and he has gone on to score 58 goals
in 120 games, winning two Premier League titles and one League Cup.
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