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Diego Costa fined £300,000 by Chelsea for failing to pre-season
Chelsea have fined striker Diego Costa for his refusal to show up for pre-season training.
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The striker is currently in his hometown in Brazil and has suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that he feels Chelsea are blocking his desired move back to former club Atletico Madrid.
It is understood the fine is in the region of £300,000.
Costa was told via text message by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte that he was not wanted at the club this season and the 28-year-old has responded by staying in his native Brazil.
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Costa wants a return to Atletico Madrid but the situation is hampered by the Spanish club's transfer ban which means any player signed is ineligible to play until January.
READ MORE: Ghanaian striker
In an explosive newspaper interview, Costa blasted Conte, said he'd lost respect for the Italian coach and insisted he is “not a criminal”.
"In January, things happened with the coach. I was on the brink of renewing my contract and they put the brakes on it,” the player told the Daily Mail.
"I suspect the manager was behind it. He asked for that to happen. 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.
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"I was with the Spain national team, alone in my room, when it (the text message) came through. It was a shock to get it like that. I was showing it to my team-mates and they could not believe how he had done it. I was angry at the time. Now I am more calm.
Diego Costa is angry with Chelsea
"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. Conte has his mentality. He thinks it's the best way of working.
"My idea would be to go to Madrid, train there, get in the best physical shape and be ready to fire ahead of the World Cup. I've spoken to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. I said, "If the manager doesn't want me, I want to go to Atletico Madrid". I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China or other teams.
"If I have to I will stay in Brazil. I am open to being a year in Brazil without playing, even if Chelsea fine me for a year and don't pay me. I'll come back stronger. If I was in the wrong, I'd go back now and do as they say."
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Without Costa, Chelsea had a mixed pre-season and lost their first match of the Premier League season 3-2 to Burnley.
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