Chelsea striker Diego Costa has not been included in Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League group stages. The player is still on strike in Brazil after being told by manager Antonio Conte that he is no longer wanted at the club.
Costa agitated for a move to China in June and admits that he was close to rejoining former club Atletico Madrid last summer. Conte told Costa he was no longer wanted at the club shortly after the 2016-17 season ended.
Costa returned to his hometown in Brazil and tried to force through a move to Atletico Madrid. The move was complicated by the fact that Atleti have a transfer ban, which stops them from playing any player that they sign until January.
There were rumours of loan moves to Las Palmas and Everton, but ultimately, no deal was struck and Costa remains a Chelsea player. However, his exclusion from Chelsea’s Champions League roster suggests he will not be considered for selection until January.