Diego Costa ‘included in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad’ despite going AWOL over summer
Diego Costa has been registered in Chelsea’s 25-man squad for the Premier League season, according to reports.
The striker had appeared set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer with a return to his boyhood club, Atletico Madrid, touted.
But a switch was not completed and he appears set for at least another four months in London.
According to the Daily Mail , Antonio Conte has named Costa in the squad for the season, but it remains to be seen whether he will pull on the blue shirt again.
Chelsea failed to complete transfers for Fernando Llorente and Ross Barkley on Deadline Day, leaving Conte short of options.
The row between Costa and Conte has become public since they fell out at the start of the summer.
Spain international Costa has been based in his homeland of Brazil and made no secret about his desire to join Atletico, even though he would not be able to be registered there until January.
He insisted that he had no plans to return to Chelsea or play for the club again after accusing them of treating him like a “criminal.”
Boss Conte laughed off the claims, but the Blues are fuming with the Spaniard and owner Roman Abramovich is especially determined to make him pay for defying the club with his rebellious behaviour.
They want the controversial striker back, fit and in condition to be selected — in line with the terms of his contract.