Breaking News: Diego Costa excused from start of Chelsea pre-season training as he bids to complete Atletico Madrid return

Diego Costa excused from start of Chelsea pre-season training as he bids to complete Atletico Madrid return

• The Chelsea squad return to pre-season training at Cobham on Monday 

• But striker Diego Costa has been excused from the start of training

• Costa is attempting to complete a return to former club Atletico Madrid 

• He was informed by manager Antonio Conte he is not in his plans going forward 

Diego Costa has been excused from the start of pre-season at Chelsea as he attempts to complete a transfer back to Atletico Madrid.

Antonio Conte and his Premier League champions were all expected to report back for training at their Surrey training base today (Monday).

But Costa’s representatives have agreed an extension to his summer break as he tries to strike a deal to move away from Stamford Bridge.