DIEGO COSTA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Chelsea have treated me like a criminal... I refuse to train with the reserves and could see out my contract unpaid and alone in Brazil
Mere moments have passed since Sam Vokes headed Burnley into a 3-0 first half lead at Chelsea when there is a knock on the door at Diego Costa's family home in north-eastern Brazil.
Sportsmail has arrived unannounced and uninvited but, standing on the doorstep of his childhood home, Chelsea outcast Costa puffs out his cheeks and shakes his head.
'It's going well for Chelsea, isn't it?' he grimaces. 'The red card changed the game but anyway, you've come a long way and I have nothing to hide. Come on in.'
So in we go, to be greeted with smiles and handshakes from Costa's parents, Jose de Jesus and Josileide, and a small entourage of family friends.
His father, known as Zeinha, is the man who named his son after Diego Maradona while Costa's elder brother is Jair, after Jairzinho, the Brazilian icon of the 1970 World Cup.
Perching himself on a chair in the garden, Costa smiles ruefully: 'It's been a strange summer.' Strange is one word for it.
After helping Chelsea to the Premier League title by scoring 20 goals in manager Antonio Conte's first season at the club, Costa finds himself 5,000 miles from Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the new campaign.
Costa's summer began with a text message from Conte, informing him his Chelsea career was over. Costa has not been at Chelsea since the FA Cup final in May and, during a half-hour conversation, the striker delivers a blistering retort.
He accuses Chelsea of treating him 'like a criminal' and refuses to rule out legal action. He says he will always keep Conte's text message on his phone and claims the Chelsea manager 'lacks charisma'. Costa also accuses Conte of blocking his contract negotiations in January.
Costa says he has been fined several weeks' wages but is defying demands to return to train with the reserves.
The Spain international insists he wants a transfer to Atletico Madrid resolved this month and that, meanwhile, he is ready to see out his Chelsea contract unpaid and train alone near his home in Brazil.
Jose Mourinho, Costa's former manager at Chelsea, once described Lagarto — the player's hometown — as so remote that it sits 'beyond the sunset'. Located 80 miles inland from the coastal city of Aracaju, the capital of the Brazilian state of Sergipe, it is a modest place of refuge.
Lagarto has just over 100,000 inhabitants and is known for its farms growing cassava (a root vegetable) and tobacco but Diego Costa is the biggest show in town.
A life-size graffiti mural of Costa in Chelsea blue gleams on one streetside wall. Over the past month, images have emerged of Costa going for a Jet Ski ride with his dog, attending the circus and partying in an Atletico shirt.
His family have never moved house. 'Only renovated,' he grins. 'You don't forget where you came from.'
The mantelpiece bears mementoes of life in England and Spain, including his trophy for making the PFA Team of the Year, man-of-the-match awards from games against Everton and Crystal Palace and the Zarra prize as the Spaniard who scored most goals in La Liga in 2014.
As the final moments of Chelsea's 3-2 defeat by Burnley play out, his father peeks round the door. Zeinha shakes his head. Costa says: 'They are two players down, to be fair, Dad.' Another friend pops by: 'Bring back Diego!' he laughs. Costa grimaces.
As Chelsea chase the game, Costa's intensity builds. David Luiz makes it 3-2 with two minutes left. Costa is off the settee and celebrating, dropping his phone.
'The Premier League is the top. These moments, chasing a game, with seconds to spare. It's what we live for. You saw Arsenal against Leicester? Madness. Then Liverpool? 3-3, last minute! Rooney has scored for Everton! I wouldn't be human if I didn't miss those moments.'
First things first, Costa is not expecting an SOS plea from Conte to return. 'No,' he insists. 'You know that the manager doesn't want me.
'I am waiting for Chelsea to set me free. I didn't want to leave. I was happy. When the manager does not want you, you have to go.
'If you were to ask all my team-mates, they'd say the same. They send messages saying "I miss you" and that they love me.
'I am always talking with the boys — particularly Cesc Fabregas, David Luiz and Willian. We have banter over WhatsApp.
'They ask how I am. They really love me for the person I am. If they didn't, they wouldn't be saying they miss me and love me.'
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'My desire is to go to Atletico (where he played from 2010-14). I've spoken to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. I said, "If the manager doesn't want me, I want to go to Atletico Madrid".
'I have rejected other offers. They want to sell me to China or other teams. The language is better for me in Spain. If I'm off, I'm going to the club I want to go to — not the club that's paying the most.
'Diego Simeone (Atletico manager) wants me. It is very clear. I have always had a bond with him. The fans and people love me there. They respect me.'
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DIEGO COSTA INTERVIEW: Chelsea striker talks to Sportsmail | Daily Mail Online
@ Benzema contract clause being 1 billion buy out
at the barca board. They been slacking. Messi ain't gonna play forever