Chelsea manager Antonio Conte seems to have skipped straight to the stage of acceptance regarding Diego Costa's desire to leave Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.
Having granted an interview to the Daily Mail from his home in Brazil last weekend, the Spanish international accused Chelsea of treating him 'like a criminal', and hasn't ruled out the possibility of legal action against the club should this issue drag on much longer.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Conte, Costa was disappointed with the manner in which the Italian sent a text message to inform him of this decision.
However, with many reporting that Costa had been informed as far back as January that he would be allowed to leave in the summer transfer window, Conte reiterated his understanding that 'everyone who works with Chelsea knows well what happened last season with him.'
Not wishing to say much more on the matter, it is Conte's initial response that shows us a side of the Italian that we have not usually seen during his tenure in England.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29-oI_yqjxQ
After a surprising home defeat to Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League last weekend, the pressure will be on Conte's men as make the trip to Wembley to face Spurs on Sunday.
With Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas suspended, Pedro and Eden Hazard are both doubts ahead of this early clash between last season's top two.
Still, at least he can laugh.
