Summary Costa is believed to have had a bust-up at the club over the level of his fitness
LONDON (AFP) - Diego Costa s future at Premier League leaders Chelsea was plunged into doubt on Friday after their leading scorer was reportedly dropped for Saturday s away match with champions Leicester.
The 28-year-old Spanish international, who has scored 14 goals in 19 games this season, is believed to have had a bust-up at the club over the level of his fitness and has not trained all week.
The bombshell news came after the Brazil-born, naturalised Spaniard was linked with a lucrative salary offer from a Chinese club worth a mind-boggling 30million (34m euros, $36.5m) a year.
Only last month Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had been singing the player s praises saying he was a reformed character from the one who had sulked his way through the previous unhappy campaign.
Many fans blamed the temperamental striker for causing Jose Mourinho s sacking.
"I m happy for him because he is showing great passion. In every game he is showing great commitment and work rate to help the team," Conte said.
"It s fantastic and it s important to continue this way. Diego for sure is a great striker.
"He is enjoying playing his football. Now he is showing his passion in the right way."
Costa signed a five-year deal on his arrival in July 2014 for 32million which leaves two-and-a-half years to run on his contract and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to be unwilling to sell him.
His goals have been instrumental in Chelsea going on a 13 match winning run in the Premier League which was brought to an end by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of fellow London side Tottenham Hotspur just over a week ago.
In his absence on Saturday, Belgian star Eden Hazard could replace him up front as he did against Bournemouth when the Spaniard was suspended.
However, regardless of Abramovich s determination not to offload him, one English bookmaker cut the price of his leaving in the January transfer window to 2/1.
