Conte's text message to Costa: "Hi Diego... you are not in my plan"

“Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the seasono [sic] we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan”

Costa leaks Conte text after Spain v Colombia

That is the brief text message that AS has obtained, sent to Diego Costa by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to inform the striker that he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa’s reply, less than effusive, was a simple “Ok”.

The message was leaked by Diego Costa himself, at the conclusion of the 2-2 draw between Spain and Colombia on Wednesday evening. Costa was in the squad, but did not play a part in Murcia.

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Chelsea unhappy with value implications

Chelsea are unhappy with Costa’s decision to reveal that he is unwanted by Conte, because it weakens the club’s negotiating position in the transfer market. His value, according to the website Transfermarkt, is around €50m. It is hard to conceive that Chelsea will be able to sell Costa for that price in light of his declarations, given that interested parties now know that he is not part of the manager’s plans.

The club also question the decision to make Diego Costa available for transfer on a sporting level, and the manner of delivering the news; through a blunt text message. Costa was Chelsea’s top goalscorer, notching 20 times, as ‘The Blues’ lifted the Premier League trophy in May.

Conte had already pulled Costa out of training with Chelsea following an argument in January of this year. That deterioration in the personal relationship between manager and player has led to a decision that, on the basis of Costa’s performance this season alone, would be difficult to explain. Costa scored 22 goals in 42 matches in all competitions.

Conte’s lack of prudence, however, will be welcome news in the corridors of Atlético Madrid. The player is angling for a return to his former club, and Los Rojiblancos will now be able to place a lower offer for Costa.