Will Diego Costa be able to play against Chelsea in the Champions League after agreeing to join Atletico Madrid

The striker has agreed a deal to move back to the Vicente Calderon – but will he actually be allowed to play against the Blues

When Diego Costa completes his move to Atletico, he will not be able to play against Chelsea in the Champions League… or against anyone else for that matter.

Costa will be barred from playing in all competitions until January because of Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban.

But if Chelsea and Atletico happen to be drawn against each other in the knockout stages and Costa has made the move, there will be nothing to stop him playing against the Blues.

Atletico were banned after breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players under the ages of 18.

Can Diego Costa play for Chelsea against Atletico Madrid?

Diego Costa is technically still a Chelsea player and can play for the Blues.

But Antonio Conte has omitted him from Chelsea's Champions League squad and therefore he will be unable to play in any of the Blues' European matches.

If he had been included in the squad, Atletico would probably have included a clause in the deal barring the striker from playing in Europe.

That is because if Costa made an appearance, he would become cup tied and unable to play for Diego Simeone's side in the competition until next season.