Chelsea News: Diego Costa transfer saga 'wrong' - Cesc Fabregas

CESC FABREGAS says the transfer saga that surrounded Diego Costa and Chelsea this summer was “wrong”.

Chelsea nws Diego Costa Cesc FabregasGETTY

Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas (right) says he wishes Diego Costa had stayed at the club

Chelsea striker Costa was told via text message that he was not part of Antonio Conte’s plans for the new season.

The Spain international therefore refused to report to pre-season training, instead going AWOL in his native Brazil.

Costa demanded a transfer to Atletico Madrid but a summer deal never materialised as the La Liga club are under an embargo until the New Year.

And Fabregas has expressed his frustration with how the situation between his club and international team-mate was handled.

"It's a shame for him more than anyone," Fabregas told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Clearly I would have preferred for him to continue as a teammate

Fabregas on Costa

“Diego knew that if he signed for Atletico he could not play for a few months.

“It has been a difficult situation for both him and for Chelsea; it has been wrong."

Costa is expected to sign a contract at Atletico in the coming days.

The club have agreed a £67million deal to bring him back from a three-year stint at Chelsea.

Costa, however, won’t be fully registered until the transfer window reopens on 1 January.

He is likely to be in attendance when Chelsea face Atletico in Madrid on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

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Chelsea duo Costa and Fabregas won the title twice together

Diego Costa poses for photos after receiving a Flamengo shirt

And Fabregas admits he still wishes Costa would remain at the Blues.

"Clearly I would have preferred for him to continue as a teammate," he added.

"Diego will never be a rival to me.

"In recent years there has not been a pure striker better than him; he understood my game, read my passes and most importantly he could score from them.

"With Diego it is not just what he gives you on the pitch but it is his character, too, he brings a lot to the group."

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