Despite having a 26-goal season, Diego Costa’s Chelsea future has never been so unsure. The Spaniard has come out today and made startling revelations about his relationship with Blues boss, Antonio Conte.
After a 2-2 draw with Colombia, Costa revealed to the press, “Conte has sent me a message telling me I’m not in his plans.” After a monumental bust-up midway through the season, this revelation only re-affirms what Chelsea fans feared at the time. Diego Costa will not be at Chelsea next season.
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The Spaniard was Chelsea’s talisman in their recent title-winning campaign but it seems as though Conte feels the striker’s negatives outweigh his positives. Now it’s clearly time for the 28-year-old to find a new club to cause trouble at.
Here are 5 possible destinations for the outgoing Diego Costa.
#5 AC Milan
Sky Sports understands that AC Milan are now in talks to sign Diego Costa. Milan are on the verge of becoming a powerhouse once again as they were taken over earlier in the year by a Chinese consortium. Meaning they now have the funds to buy Europe’s elite, starting with Costa.
Diego Costa is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes and Milan are looking to sign two of his other clients in James Rodriguez and Andre Silva. Regardless, talks have already begun between club directors and Mendes, meaning Costa already has one foot out of the door.
Costa’s style of play would suit Serie A, as it’s about tough 1 on 1 tussles between defenders and strikers. Diego relishes such battles where he can wind up opposing defenders through aggressive tackles.
#4 Borussia Dortmund
After finishing a whopping 18 points behind Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund are in dire need of an upgrade in the summer. A squad filled with exciting youngsters and immature stars did not fire Thomas Tuchel to the heights he thought he’d get to. Now the German club are under Peter Bosz and his young Dortmund squad are craving a new leader.
Diego Costa is that leader. He’s a player that leads by example, his unrivalled intensity and work rate inspire those around him to follow suit. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the verge of completing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Costa’s presence would fill the hole left by the Gabonese striker.
He has the clinical touch of Pierre, not the pace, but he offers a higher work rate out of possession. He’s the perfect figure to help Dortmund mount a title challenge next season.
#3 Real Madrid
In a footballing world where loyalties mean nothing, it’s completely plausible for Diego Costa to join Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. In a season where Zinedine Zidane has not been able to get the best out of Karim Benzema and restricted Alvaro Morata to the bench, Diego Costa could be the ideal addition to the team.
Costa is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world as he contributes to all phases of play. He hunts down defenders and relentlessly closes off passing lanes; he’s everything Zidane wants.
With Morata seemingly tired of playing second fiddle to Benzema, there will be an open slot on the roster at the Bernabéu next season. Costa could finally be the one to break up the infamous BBC trio as he possesses everything Zidane wants in a striker; hard work, tireless running, commitment, defensive discipline and quick decision making.
#2 Tianjin Quanjian
Two years ago, the Chinese Super League was viewed as a joke in Europe, now it’s a realistic proposition for Europe’s elites. The investor backed football league has prized away a lot of players in the past year and they nearly got Diego Costa last season.
In April, it was reported that Tianjin Quanjian offered Diego Costa a £650,000-a-week contract to prize him away from the Premier League. The offer led to a public spat between Costa and Conte, resulting in him being left out of a matchday squad away at Hull. Fast forward a few months and duo are still at butt ends.
The CSL offers Diego Costa the chance to earn more money than he’s ever earned before, experience a new culture and become part of a footballing revolution. What’s there not to love?
#1 Atletico Madrid
They always say there’s no place like home and Diego Costa seemingly wishes he’d never left. Reports last summer suggested that Costa was lobbying for a move back to Madrid, instead, he stayed and had his best season yet.
Atletico Madrid recently had their transfer ban upheld by FIFA, meaning they won’t be able to sign players until January. However, this doesn’t stop them selling players or bringing in loanees. This means if Costa was that desperate to return, Atletico could bring him in on loan and then sign him in January next year.
Diego Simeone is a fond admirer of the striker as he embodies everything he’s instilled into the fabrics of the club; hard work, grit and ruthless aggression.
