A dream debut season, followed by a disappointing second term, and now his future is up in the air: this is the conundrum that Diego Costa finds himself in at Chelsea.
The Spanish striker has long been linked with a Stamford Bridge exit, with rumors tipping the former Atletico Madrid ace to return to La Liga to rejoin Los Rojiblancos.
However, Antonio Conte refused to budge, leading to Diego Simeone exploring other options. And exploring other options he did, signing Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla on a four-year deal.
With the door back to the Vicente Calderon all but shut on Costa, Conte has now gone out and shocked everyone by hinting at a Stamford Bridge exit for the 27-year-old feisty forward.
The Italian boss confessed that although Costa is a Chelsea player for now, he is not sure what the future holds for the Brazilian-born striker. According to the Daily Mail, the former Azzurri boss said:
“I can say that today Costa is a Chelsea player.
“He didn’t play in these games because of injury and if he solves the injury and I see in training that he is in good shape it can be possible to see him in the next game against Milan.
“But I can say only this. I speak only for today and today Costa is Chelsea’s player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don’t know.”
Conte made these remarks after the Blues’ 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup, a game Costa missed due to a back injury.
French journalist Francois Piraux (as per Eurosport) dropped some insight on Diego’s frustration with the Chelsea boss, claiming that Conte is actually keen on keeping the Spaniard.
"Diego Costa is angry and frustrated after the signing of Kevin Gameiro with Atletico. He doesn't want to talk with Antonio Conte," wrote Piraux.
"That's why you can understand the quotes from Antonio Conte about Diego Costa last night....
"No surprises, Costa wants a comeback to Atletico this summer. But, it's clear Antonio Conte wants to keep him. Now, it's different..."
Only time will tell what will happen to the 27-year-old.
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