Once hailed as Chelsea’s undisputed star striker, Diego Costa had been enjoying a stellar season, netting 14 Premier League goals so far and sharing the top scorer spot with Alexis Sanchez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In the first half of the season, Costa seemed to transform from villain to hero, winning back fans with his sharp finishing and relentless work rate. But as the saying goes, old habits die hard. Trouble found its way back, and the fiery forward couldn’t stay out of the headlines for long.

Tensions boiled over when Costa clashed fiercely with head coach Antonio Conte, with reports even claiming he exchanged blows with the club’s fitness coach. The incident shattered the harmony within Chelsea’s dressing room. As a result, Costa was left out of the squad for the Blues’ 3-0 away victory over Leicester City, officially due to “injury,” though many suspected otherwise. Around the same time, the London Evening Standard reported that Costa might be considering a shock move to the Chinese Super League, with his potential transfer fee rumored to reach an eye-watering £80 million.

Adding fuel to the fire, Costa’s influential agent Jorge Mendes was spotted in China, reportedly holding talks with the owner of Tianjin Quanjian, a newly promoted Chinese Super League club. This fueled fan speculation about a possible big-money switch. However, according to The Mirror, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was far from ready to let the striker walk away. The Russian billionaire, known for his deep pockets and strong stance, was reportedly furious over the saga. Selling Costa now, in his eyes, would be letting him off too easily. Instead, Abramovich decided to banish him to the reserves as a disciplinary measure.

Chelsea’s position is clear — Costa will not be sold. Abramovich believes that giving in to player demands in such disputes would set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other high-profile players to challenge the club’s authority in the future. This time, the owner has chosen to make an example out of Costa, sending a firm message to the entire squad.

The fallout from this dispute has sparked wide discussion among football fans, including those who follow Live Cricket BPL updates and sports drama across the globe. Just as in competitive cricket, where team unity and discipline can make or break a championship campaign, Chelsea’s handling of the Costa situation may prove pivotal for the rest of their season. Whether he returns to the first team or continues in exile, Costa’s story will be closely watched, much like the ongoing excitement in Live Cricket BPL fixtures. For now, all eyes remain on Stamford Bridge to see if this high-stakes standoff will end in reconciliation or a permanent split — a scenario as unpredictable as the final overs of a tight Live Cricket BPL match.