Chelsea striker Diego Costa says manager Antonio Conte has told him that he is no longer in the club’s plans has told him.
The 28-year-old scored 20 goals in 35 Premier League games to help the Blues win the title but now appears set to leave Stamford Bridge.
“I’m a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there,” Costa said.
“Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that’s it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.”
Costa added: “My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. It’s a shame, I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide.
“You have to find a team.”
Brazil-born Spain international Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for a reported £32m in 2014.
He spent four seasons at Atletico and suggested he might be open to a return, despite the La Liga club being banned from signing players until the January transfer window
“Being five months without playing? I do not know, it’s complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love to live in Madrid,” Costa said.
“It would be nice to go back, but it’s difficult to be four or five months without playing. It’s a World Cup year and there are many things to think about. I need to play, just that.”
In January, Costa was left out of the Chelsea side for an away match at Leicester after he was involved in a dispute with fitness coach. BBC
