Chelsea have removed exiled striker Diego Costa from their 25-man Champions League squad, to further confirm the forward's pariah status at the club.

The 28-year-old is yet to return to Chelsea for the new season, having remained in Brazil in a bid to force a move to Atletico Madrid.

Atletico's transfer ban means the Spain forward cannot move until January at the earliest, & despite being named in the champions' Premier League squad he’s been left out of their ranks for European action.

Costa remains a Chelsea player after the close of the summer transfer window, & the Blues stillwant him back at the club.

Former Atletico striker Costa claimed Chelsea had treated him like a "Criminal" in insisting he wouldn’t return to west London, but manager Antonio Conte has since laughed off those remarks.

Costa would avoid being cup tied if he does not make any European appearance for Chelsea, making him a more eye-catching signing for Atletico in the new year.

While Chelsea want their employee to return to the club & fulfill the terms of his contract, his removal from the Champions League ranks serves as another reminder of his diminished status at Stamford Bridge.