What’s the story?
It looks like Chelsea striker Diego Costa has set his mind on leaving Chelsea and even named three possible destinations in an interview with Telefoot. The Spain striker has been angling for a move away from Stamford Bridge since last summer and may finally get his transfer this summer.
After failing to make a transfer to in the last two transfer windows, Costa has now talked up three Ligue 1 clubs – namely Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Marseille.
“Marseille have constructed a nice project,” Costa said. “PSG, we know, are respected in Europe. Monaco also have a wonderful project and have some great players. Ligue 1 is developing.
“I am very happy at Chelsea but anything can happen in football,” he continued. “If I need to make a change, France is a country where I have never played. So why not?”
In case you didn’t know...
Costa first tried to make a move back to Atletico Madrid last summer. He had informed new boss Antonio Conte on his very first day – a declaration that had left the incoming Italian boss very upset. But after Atletico refused to wait and signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, Costa had no choice but to buckle down and give it his all for Chelsea.
“When Atletico didn't wait for me, I had to go to Conte with the tail between my legs.” – Costa
Costa was also linked with a big money move to the Chinese Super League but Chelsea refused to sell him in mid-season as they looked to consolidate their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The heart of the matter
Costa has been unhappy at Chelsea ever since the 2015/16 season when the Blues looked to defend their Premier League crown. However, he had arrived for pre-season unfit and his form soon suffered – directly affecting Chelsea’s results.
The proverbial last straw came when the fans booed him following the departure of Jose Mourinho, blaming him for the sacking of the Portuguese manager. While Costa has got back to his best this season with 17 goals and five assists in the league, he is unhappy in England – especially due to the bans and fines he has received in recent seasons – and wants a move away.
Also read: Antonio Conte willing to pay €63 million for Real Madrid star to come to Chelsea
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Author’s take
Apart from moving to better clubs, a number of top quality players have left England mainly for two reasons – because they fail to adapt in England or simply because higher wages are offered elsewhere. In Costa’s case, it seems like a combination of both.
PSG is a club that can give Costa a lucrative contract while former Atletico teammate Radamel Falcao may have told him exactly the kind of treatment he can expect should he make the switch to Monaco.
Wherever he moves, it does look like this will be Costa’s final season with Chelsea and it will force Conte to look elsewhere to sign his replacement.
