Chelsea star skipped pre-season after boss texted him to demand transfer exit

A Chelsea hero didn't return for pre-season training after learning via his manager's text message that his services were no longer required

Former Chelsea star Diego Costa was allowed to skip pre-season training in 2017 after being told via text that he was not part of Antonio Conte's plans. The Spain international subsequently sealed a return to Atletico Madrid after an exchange made it clear that his future lay away from Stamford Bridge.

Costa joined the Blues in a high-profile move from Atleti in 2014, winning the league title in his debut season under Jose Mourinho. After the club endured a difficult campaign as reigning champions, new manager Conte arrived, fresh from leading Italy at Euro 2016.

The Chelsea boss quickly created a formidable team that stormed to the Premier League crown, with Costa scoring 22 goals in all competitions as he spearheaded the attack. The striker was pivotal to the team's success but soon found himself looking for pastures new after receiving a message from Conte.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

At the end of the 2016/17 season, Conte had sent texts to his squad, wishing Chelsea's players a good summer break and reminding them to stay fit. Costa responded with a jokey message and later received Conte's reply: "Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the season we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan."

After being informed he was no longer wanted by Conte, Costa agreed to stay away from pre-season training and was granted leave to secure a transfer. However, the striker had already addressed his fallout with Conte.

"I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there," Costa said in June 2017, whilst on international duty. "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."

He added: "My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. You have to find a team."

The forward failed to secure a move away before the summer deadline and was frozen out by Chelsea. In September 2017, Costa agreed to rejoin Atleti ahead of the January window, with the Spanish club having previously been under a transfer ban.

It was an unfortunate turn of events for a player who had helped Chelsea clinch two league titles and won the League Cup. Reflecting on the situation in 2020, Conte stood by his decision to leave Costa out of his plans.

"It was an incredible season and I managed, together with the club, the Diego Costa situation in the best possible way," Conte told The Telegraph. "But, in the end, the truth was only that the player wanted to leave many times to Atletico Madrid and during the season to go to China because he wanted the best contract."

Conte lifted the FA Cup in his second campaign but missed out on a Champions League place, leading to his sacking. Meanwhile, Costa spent several years at Atletico, had stints in Brazil and briefly played for Wolves in the Premier League before retiring. However, Costa's negative feelings towards Conte remain unchanged.

"He is a person who doesn't trust others. He thinks he knows everything," Costa said on the Obi One Podcast this year. "You don't enjoy training with him, he's always angry, always with a long face. The players wanted to come back but nobody liked him and that's why he didn't last long. The past is the past."