Former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright has said that Chelsea forward Diego Costa’s refusal to return to training is “disgraceful”.
The 28-year-old, Spanish-Brazillian said he has been treated like a “criminal” and wants to join former club Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte texted Costa in June to say he was not in his plans, but Costa says he has been told to return and train with the reserves.
“I don’t understand how players can get away with that behaviour,” said Wright.
Spain striker Costa was given extra time off by Chelsea last month, but now claims he is being fined for his absence and is considering legal action or seeing out the remaining year of his contract unpaid in Brazil.
The Blues expect Costa to return immediately, resume training, get himself match fit and put himself in contention for selection, because he is still contracted to the club.
“It’s disgraceful the way he is behaving,” Wright told BBC Radio 5 live’s The Monday Night Club.
“Surely he’s got to come back here, so if the manager changes his mind he’s there. He’s earning a fortune at Chelsea. Can Atletico Madrid even afford him?”
Costa, who last played for Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May, joined the Blues from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has won two Premier League titles and the League Cup with the London club.
In January, he was left out of the side for an away match at Leicester after he was involved in a dispute with a fitness coach.
It followed reports of an offer from China that would have been worth £30m a year in salary.
“Why won’t they let me go if they don’t want me?” he told the Daily Mail on Monday.
“In January, things happened with the coach. I was on the brink of renewing my contract and they put the brakes on it. I suspect the manager was behind it. He asked for that to happen.
“His ideas are very fixed and clear. I have seen the sort of person he is. He has his own opinion and that will not change.”
Diego Costa Is “Disgraceful” To Chelsea – Ian Wright
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