Chelsea want Diego Costa to return to the club despite the wantaway star not being in Antonio Conte's plans.

Costa has criticised Chelsea's treatment of him this summer, saying he is "not a criminal", and claiming he is prepared to remain in exile for a year as he agitates for a return to Atletico Madrid.

But it is understood that Chelsea want Costa, who has two years remaining on his contract, to return to the club and get back to full fitness.

How Chelsea could line up next season Show all 11 1 /11 How Chelsea could line up next season How Chelsea could line up next season GK: Thibaut Courtois Getty How Chelsea could line up next season CB: Antonio Rudiger Getty How Chelsea could line up next season CB: David Luiz Getty How Chelsea could line up next season CB: Gary Cahill Getty How Chelsea could line up next season RWB: Victor Moses Getty How Chelsea could line up next season LWB: Marcos Alonso Getty How Chelsea could line up next season CM: N'Golo Kante Getty How Chelsea could line up next season CM: Tiemoué Bakayoko Getty How Chelsea could line up next season RW: Pedro AFP/Getty Images How Chelsea could line up next season LW: Eden Hazard Getty How Chelsea could line up next season ST: Alvaro Morata Getty

The Blues also expect the Brazil-born Spain striker to prove his fitness and make himself available for selection, even though he is no longer in head coach Conte's plans.

After being granted an additional week of leave and missing the pre-season tour to Asia, Costa is still to return to London around two weeks after his anticipated arrival.

Costa, currently at home in Brazil, said he has not reported for training as he does not want to train with the Blues' reserves, and is happy staying in Brazil and paying club fines until his future is resolved.

He told the Daily Mail: "They gave me a week extra off but since then it's fines all the way. They want me training with the reserves. I am not going to do that. I am not a criminal and I am not in the wrong here. So, if they need to fine me, let them fine me."

Costa has stayed in Brazil while his Chelsea teammates have begun the season (Getty)

Chelsea do not have a reserve team, only age-group sides, and Costa has been given no indication that he would be expected to train with them.

Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico in July 2014. He has twice won the Premier League title during his three years at Stamford Bridge and scored 59 goals in 120 appearances.

The 28-year-old claims he was told he was not wanted by head coach Antonio Conte by text message in the summer and the frontman wishes to return to Atletico.

The Blues declined to respond to Costa's comments.

Chelsea and Conte have previously insisted the decision for Costa to leave this summer was made in January, with both the player and his agent, Jorge Mendes, aware.

Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Show all 11 1 /11 Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Thibaut Courtois - goalkeeper LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea sends the ball forward during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Andreas Christensen - centre-back Burnley's Irish midfielder Robbie Brady (L) vies with Chelsea's Danish defender Andreas Christensen during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London on August 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Antonio Rudiger - centre-back LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Cesar Azpilicueta - centre-back Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London on August 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Marcos Alonso - left wing-back LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Victor Moses - right wing-back LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Victor Moses of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea during the The FA Community Shield final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham David Luiz - central midfielder LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: David Luiz of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Tiemoue Bakayoko - central midfielder The summer signing will make his first appearance for the Blues Getty Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham N'Golo Kante - central midfielder LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Ngolo Kante of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Willian - forward LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Willian of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Chelsea's possible starting XI vs Tottenham Alvaro Morata - forward LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea makes his way onto the pitch during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Getty Images

Costa only wants to move to Atletico, who are under a transfer embargo and cannot register new players until January.