Chelsea treating me like a criminal, won’t let me join Atletico Madrid – Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has accused the club of treating
him like a criminal after falling out with manager Antonio Conte. 

Costa, who claimed he was asked to leave Chelsea via a text
message from Conte in June, is not planning a return to England, having set his
mind on a return to Atletico Madrid in Spain, while considering legal action if
Chelsea continues to block his exit.

“Why won’t they let me go if they don’t want me? I have to
do what I have to do. I have to think of myself. I’ve been a good boy here and
tried to do the right thing,” Costa told Daily Mail.

“Diego Simeone (Atletico manager) wants me. It is very
clear. I have always had a bond with him. The fans and people love me there.
They respect me.

“They want me to be there training with the reserves. I
wouldn’t be allowed access to the first-team dressing room and I would have no
contact at all with the guys”.

Costa scored 20 Premier League goals as Chelsea won the
title last season but his relationship with Conte broke down and the coach made
it clear the Spain striker is no longer wanted.

“My desire is to go to Atletico (where he played from
2010-14). I’ve spoken to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. I said, ‘If the
manager doesn’t want me, I want to go to Atletico Madrid’.

“They gave me a week extra off but since then it’s fines all
the way. They want me training with the reserves. I am not going to do that. I
am not a criminal and I am not in the wrong here. So, if they need to fine me,
let them fine me.

“I take the hit every week but I’m not driven by money. The
important thing is to be happy with how I live. I’m here with my parents and
people who respect me.

“I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China
or other teams. The language is better for me in Spain. If I’m off, I’m going
to the club I want to go to – not the club that’s paying the most,” he
concluded.