Jose on call with Costa

JOSE Mourinho has called Diego Costa to ‘check I am OK and to see how I am’, according to the out-of-favour Chelsea striker.

The 28-year-old has spent the summer in his native Lagarto in Brazil after a breakdown in his relationship with boss Antonio Conte following the champions’ title win in May.

Conte informed Costa he was not part of his plans with a brief 27-word text message – which was leaked to the press – and the Spanish international has been tipped for a move back to Atletico Madrid ever since.

And, having picked up a number of fines for not returning to training, Costa has revealed Mourinho has been in touch.

“Jose has called me, direct to my phone, just to check I am OK and to see how I am. He wished me good luck,” he said.

“I never had any problems with Jose, we have a strong relationship. Everyone was very sad when things didn’t work out in the end for him at Chelsea.”

Mourinho brought Costa to Stamford Bridge back in 2014 when Chelsea agreed to meet the £32m buy-out clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

The striker went on to score 21 goal in his first season at the club as Chelsea won the title and the EFL Cup.

But Costa’s form dramatically dipped ahead of Mourinho’s departure and the 28-year-old infamously threw his bib on the floor after Ruben Loftus-Cheek was sent on ahead of him against Tottenham.