Costa inspired by Drogba

LONDON. - Diego Costa has revealed that Didier Drogba is the inspiration behind his success at Chelsea.

Despite a poor second season, Costa is on course to win his second English Premier League soccer title in three years at Stamford Bridge and top the goalscoring charts.

Costa has scored 51 goals in 103 appearances since joining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has credited Drogba with having a major impact on his good form.

Drogba was part of the squad that won the Premier League title during Costa’s first season at Stamford Bridge, but the Spain international was a big fan of the Ivorian long before playing with him.

“I have always seen Drogba as the example to follow in terms of a centre-forward,” said Costa. “He was strong and scored loads of goals and he was a quality player.

“Just watching him train helped me. Just seeing him, I was amazed. This is because — and I’m not making this up at all — I specifically used to watch Chelsea (before he joined), who are obviously a big club, just to see Drogba.

“He was famous and everyone would talk about him. I even liked watching him when he played for the Ivory Coast.

“When I arrived here, he was never cold with me, quite the opposite. I wasn’t exactly scared of him, but he was such a legend who had helped the club grow and been a part of all that.” - The Telegraph.