10 World Class Players Who Refused to Train to Force a Transfer

#3 Diego Costa: Chelsea to Atletico Madrid

Diego Costa was no longer wanted at Chelsea by Antonio Conte

After helping Chelsea win the Premier League title in Antonio Conte's debut season, the Italian manager sent him a text message, telling him he was no longer in his plans at Stamford Bridge and that he was free to leave.

"My relationship with the coach has been bad this season," Costa had said when the message became public. "It is a shame, I have already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide."

It had started back in January 2017 when the Brazil-born Spanish striker had an altercation with the Blues coach over his fitness. Relations had already been strained when he had said he wanted to leave the club the previous summer.

The text message was the last straw and Costa decided to hang around in Brazil instead of returning for pre-season training with the Blues. No transfer was agreed and his preferred destination Atletico Madrid were serving a transfer ban that summer.

Diego Costa had to wait six months before he could play again

Ultimately, Costa did seal a move to the Rojiblancos, officially rejoining them in January 2018.