Chelsea name Diego Costa in Premier League squad

Chelsea have included Diego Costa in their Premier League squad in the latest illustration they will not be bullied over the striker’s future.

Despite the fact Costa has so far ignored all requests to return to training with Chelsea, the club have placed him among their list of eligible players in their bid to retain their title. Chelsea have insisted they will not allow Costa’s actions to force them into selling him back to Atletico Madrid under their asking price of around £50 million.

The Spanish transfer deadline officially closed at 11pm on Friday night in the UK, at which point Costa would be unable to play for any club other than Chelsea until January.

As the minutes counted down to the Spanish window shutting, sources from both the Costa camp and Chelsea were rating the chance of a late deal for the Spain international to return to Atletico as doubtful, despite talks between the two clubs all week.

Atletico could still sign Costa outside the window, but would not be able to register him to play until their transfer embargo expires in the New Year.