Report: Diego Costa asks for a transfer from Chelsea

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on May 7, 2016 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on May 7, 2016 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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According to a report from ESPN FC, Diego Costa has asked to leave Chelsea.

After winning the Premier League title with Jose Mourinho in 2015, Diego Costa had a difficult campaign to say the least last season. The Spanish international had one of his worst seasons in recent memory, and was unable to solidify a spot in the starting lineup. While things started to improve slightly after Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, the striker was not exactly impressed with the way things turned out.

His poor form and Chelsea’s terrible season cost him a spot in France this summer. He was not selected by Vicente del Bosque to represent Spain at the Euros and now is looking to regain his form away from Stamford Bridge.

According to a report from ESPN FC, Costa has asked for a transfer despite a new head coach taking charge. Antonio Conte showed just how good of a coach he is at the Euros, leading a lackluster Italy side all the way to the quarterfinals, where they were narrowly defeated by Germany in penalty kicks. The Italian has to yet to take the helm at Stamford Bridge, but is already facing the potential of losing one of his biggest stars.

It will be interesting to see how Conte handles the situation, as he may not even want Costa in his side. The tactician replies on a system that forces players to track back and play defense, something Costa is not particularly accustomed to.

The Blues will not be willing their star striker go cheaply though, and any interested club will likely have to break the bank in order to land the talented target man.

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