Star striker omitted from Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League squad despite playmaker’s plea

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has left out ‘rebel’ striker Diego Costa from Chelsea’s 25-man UEFA Champions League squad list despite playmaker Eden Hazard calling for his return to the team.

The West Londoners submitted their squad list for the European top flight competition today with Diego Costa, a notable absentee.

It comes following the fallout from coach Antonio Conte telling the Spaniard via text message he has no future at the club. The striker is presently staying in Brazil and refusing to go back to London to join up with the squad.

The Blues were expected to cash in on Costa during the summer window, but a move couldn’t be agreed, which means the want-away striker remains a Chelsea player until at least January.

But it looks like Chelsea boss Antonio Conte won’t call on him, at least in European competitions. Despite having named him in his English Premier League squad, the former Italy coach left Costa out of the UEFA Champions League squad.

As a result, Conte named only two strikers in the team – Spain international Alvaro Morata and Belgium international Michy Batshuayi.

The Blues will lock horns with Qarabag, AS Roma and Atletico Madrid during the group stage fixtures of the UEFA Champions League.