Diego Costa pleads with Roman Abramovich to save his Chelsea career

Diego Costa has pleaded with Roman Abramovich to save his Chelsea career – but the Blues owner has sided with boss Antonio Conte, according to reports.

The striker reportedly not wanted by the club asked the Russian billionaire to intervene in Conte’s brutal sidelining of the star striker.

But the Mirror claim it fell on the deafest of ears, with the culture of relying on oligarch Abramovich favoured by stars of old has gone.

Fomer legends such as John Terry, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were perceived to run the show, undermining managers while Abramovich stood by.

But it was the owner’s clear statement that those days are gone and he will allow the managers to do their job, even if it means binning a true goalscorer.

Costa was told he was NOT wanted at Chelsea anymore, the Spain striker’s future at the club up in the air since rowing with Conte over a proposed January move to the Chinese Super League.

Costa, 28, ended up staying in London and went on to win the Premier League with the Blues.

But, speaking after Spain’s recent 2-2 draw in Colombia, he revealed: “Antonio Conte has told me by message that I will not continue with Chelsea and that’s it.

“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season and it is clear that he does not want me on the team.

“I guess I have had such a bad season that I can’t continue.

“Right now I’m a Chelsea player because I have a contract, but the coach does not want me there. I have to find a new team.”

Costa, who has two years left on his Stamford Bridge contract, has been linked with a sensational return to Atletico Madrid, who he swapped for Chelsea in 2014.

He is open to a return to his former club, and says he wants to be playing regular matches with the World Cup in just a year’s time.