"Chelsea are treating me like a criminal"

Diego Costa has launched a blistering attack on Chelsea. The forward has told the Daily Mail that the reason he didn’t join up with the squad for pre-season training was because they wanted him to train with the reserve team.

“I am waiting for Chelsea to set me free. I didn't want to leave. I was happy. But when the manager does not want you, you have to go. I want the deal with Atletico resolved this month. 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”. However, he also said he is “open to being a year in Brazil without playing, even if Chelsea fine me for a year and don't pay me”.

On his future and a potential move to Atlético Madrid, he said “my desire is to go to. 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. 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. 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”.