Diego
Costa has revealed the extent to which he tried to engineer a return to
Atletico Madrid before finally ending up in front of Chelsea boss
Antonio Conte with his "tail between his legs".
Costa, who netted 20 goals as the Blues claimed the 2014/15 Premier League title, was keen to return
to his former club as Chelsea failed miserably in their title defence under Jose Mourinho.
Costa still weighed in with 12 goals last term, and having pledged himself to the club and new boss Antonio Conte, the striker is back to his concentrated best with 17 goals in 26 Premier League games this season.
After talks with his former side broke down, Costa found himself back in London where he had to face Conte.
Speaking to El Larguero, he said: "Atletico knows I have a special feeling for the team, I lived the best moment of my career there. El Cholo [Diego Simeone] knows it wasn't impossible for me to come back to Atletico.
"The relationship with Conte didn't start well because when he arrived I told him I wanted to go to Atletico. Chelsea's fans love me a lot, even more than in Atletico, figure that!
"When Atletico had to wait for me they didn't, there was still a month to go in the transfer market.
"I've done everything to come back to Atletico Madrid but I wouldn't fight the same to return. When Atletico didn't wait for me, I had to go to Conte with the tail between my legs."
Costa was close to leaving Chelsea again in January when a reported £30m-a-year offer was made for his services by a Chinese Premier League side.
Costa added: "In life, anything can happen and I do not close the door to anything. In football you are worth what you are worth when you are good. And why not? But right now I am good at Chelsea…I have two years left on my contract and I intend to fulfil them.
"But you never know. It's not impossible to reject it because there are things to assess. You have to think about it all. I do not rule out anything. If they come with something for Chelsea and the club tell me to go…I can go to China or elsewhere."
Costa, who netted 20 goals as the Blues claimed the 2014/15 Premier League title, was keen to return
to his former club as Chelsea failed miserably in their title defence under Jose Mourinho.
Costa still weighed in with 12 goals last term, and having pledged himself to the club and new boss Antonio Conte, the striker is back to his concentrated best with 17 goals in 26 Premier League games this season.
After talks with his former side broke down, Costa found himself back in London where he had to face Conte.
Speaking to El Larguero, he said: "Atletico knows I have a special feeling for the team, I lived the best moment of my career there. El Cholo [Diego Simeone] knows it wasn't impossible for me to come back to Atletico.
"The relationship with Conte didn't start well because when he arrived I told him I wanted to go to Atletico. Chelsea's fans love me a lot, even more than in Atletico, figure that!
"When Atletico had to wait for me they didn't, there was still a month to go in the transfer market.
"I've done everything to come back to Atletico Madrid but I wouldn't fight the same to return. When Atletico didn't wait for me, I had to go to Conte with the tail between my legs."
Costa was close to leaving Chelsea again in January when a reported £30m-a-year offer was made for his services by a Chinese Premier League side.
Costa added: "In life, anything can happen and I do not close the door to anything. In football you are worth what you are worth when you are good. And why not? But right now I am good at Chelsea…I have two years left on my contract and I intend to fulfil them.
"But you never know. It's not impossible to reject it because there are things to assess. You have to think about it all. I do not rule out anything. If they come with something for Chelsea and the club tell me to go…I can go to China or elsewhere."
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