Chelsea's legend, Frank Lampard has described the eventual exit of former striker, Diego Costa as a relief for Chelsea and the players as the club get ready to battle Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. Diego Costa who was declared surplus by manager, Antonio Conte at the end of last season via a text message refused to resume training after break, preferring to remain in Brazil with his family.
Attempts to force his return to the club failed with the player accusing the club of treating him like a mere criminal. He claimed that Chelsea wanted to force him to China or banish him to the reserve team without access to the first team.
The player was subsequently fined two weeks wages for failing to resume training. Efforts by Everton to secure a deal for the player before the close of last summer transfer window failed as the player insisted on a return to Madrid. Atletico Madrid sealed a move for the player last week.
Lampard believes even if Costa is unveiled in the Stadium on Wednesday as Chelsea visit, it would have no impact as his exit has brought relief to Chelsea. Writing on Evening Standard, Lampard said.
"If he is unveiled on the pitch or is simply there to watch, I’m sure the lads will wish him well and get on with it. Costa leaving will be a relief to Conte and Chelsea - it is the best thing for all concerned. There was no way he could stay at Chelsea, given the events of the summer and the sooner he went, the better."
"It’s great for Costa, too. He needs to go and train properly before starting playing again in January. He couldn’t carry on staying in Brazil like he was, it wasn’t helping anybody."
