Chelsea players will be treated to an immediate reunion with Diego Costa at tonight’s game with Atletico Madrid, as the striker will reportedly be in attendance.
The Spain international finally agreed terms on a return to Atletico this week, with the deal to officially go through on January 1st when the transfer window re-opens and the La Liga club’s transfer ban comes to an end.
Costa had been unsettled at Chelsea after falling out with manager Antonio Conte, who texted the player at the end of last season to inform him he was no longer in his plans.
This led to the 28-year-old refusing to return to Chelsea training this season after failing to get his move to Atletico in the summer, though he will finally see his team-mates in the tunnel this evening.
According to the Daily Mail, Costa will be given the freedom to ‘mingle’ in the tunnel area before and after the game, whilst watching the action unfold from the stands.
Chelsea face a tough game against Diego Simeone’s side at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, and could arguably do without the Costa situation as an extra distraction.
Simeone, however, is said to have requested that Costa is not unveiled to the crowd on the pitch beforehand or at half time, as he does not want the striker’s arrival to distract from tonight’s game.
Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures
Newcastle (A) - Sun May 13
Chelsea and Atletico last met in the Champions League when they contested the 2014 semi-final, when Costa was still in his first spell with the Spanish side, and scored in a second leg victory to send Simeone’s men into the final.
Costa moved to Chelsea that summer and scored 59 goals for the Blues in three seasons in west London.
MORE : Diego Costa explains reasons for quitting Chelsea to seal Atletico return
MORE : Fernando Torres reveals advice for Alvaro Morata before joining Chelsea
Share this with