Chelsea's Spanish Striker Fires Back: I Don't Care If Chelsea Fine Me N3.7 Billion

Spain international Diego Costa, who has a frosty relationship with manager Antonio Conte, has confirmed that he has been fined by Chelsea after his refusal to return to Cobham for training ahead of a transfer this summer.

Giving his version of events, the Blues number nineteen said that he has been treated like a criminal, and Chelsea are planning to sell him to a Chinese club to make a tidy profit instead of negotiating with his preferred club Atletico Madrid.

Costa has stressed that he doesn't care if he is docked his wages for the entire season, around £7.8 million (equivalent of N3.7 billion), and will not return to Chelsea and train with their U23 team.

''They gave me a week extra off but since then it's fines all the way. They want me training with the reserves,'' Costa told the Daily Mail.

''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 am open to being a year in Brazil without playing, even if Chelsea fine me for a year and don't pay me.

''I'll come back stronger. If I was in the wrong, I'd go back now and do as they say.''

Chelsea have handed Atletico Madrid a 68 million euros price tag for Diego Costa, which would break Los Rojiblancos transfer record if they sign the Spanish-Brazilian striker.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com