Atletico Madrid have confirmed their interest in bringing Chelsea striker Diego Costa back to the Vicente Calderon. The Brazil-born Spanish striker was sold to the Blues in the summer of 2014 for a fee of £32m after the Premier League club agreed to pay the buyout clause in his contract.
Costa spent four seasons at Atletico Madrid but rose to prominence in his final two seasons under Diego Simeone as he scored 56 goals in two campaigns. His performances up front helped the Rojiblancos win the Spanish La Liga title in the 2013/14 season with Costa finishing behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the goalscoring charts.
The move to Chelsea saw Costa help Jose Mourinho’s side to a Premier League title win in his first season after he scored 20 goals in the league. But his fitness was a cause for concern and he was rested during the Champions League fixtures to ensure he could play a part in the league campaign.
However, his second season at Stamford Bridge saw a drop in both form and fitness. As Chelsea struggled this season and dropped towards the lower half of the table, Mourinho was sacked and Costa was seen as one of the culprits for not working hard enough to save the Portuguese manager’s job. He was even booed off the pitch in Chelsea’s first game after Mourinho lost his job.
His reputation in England has also taken a beating after constant altercations with his opponents and several controversies, including stamping the legs of Liverpool players who were down, pushing Laurent Koscielny to the ground and instigating Gabriel to an altercation and, most recently, appearing to bite Everton’s Gareth Barry.
The last move that saw his punishment extended to a one-match suspension apart from the one he missed due to suspension. It is the second time he has been suspended this season.
Atletico are interested in Costa’s return: Club president
Speaking about a possible return to Spain for Costa, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said it was an option but a very difficult one as they had to negotiate with Chelsea.
“Diego Costa has a contract with Chelsea,” he said in an interview with Onda Cero. “Many times a club wants a player who us under contract.
“It is totally logical that Atletico is interested in the return of the striker.
“But to negotiate with Chelsea is very hard, nearly impossible,” he concluded.
Simeone is a fan of Costa and his style of play suits his tactics at Atletico. And with Italy boss Antonio Conte set to take over at Stamford Bridge this summer, Costa is looking to return to Spain to play under Simeone rather than stay on in West London and play under a third manager in three seasons.
