Atletico return for Costa? You never know
DIEGO COSTA could return to Atletico Madrid at some point in the future, according to club president Enrique Cerezo.
The Chelsea striker swapped Madrid for London in the summer of 2014, signing a five-year contract after the clubs agreed a £32 million deal.
Costa helped the Blues to the Premier League title and the League Cup during his first season but he has struggled for form this term, despite netting twice in the 2-2 draw with Watford on Boxing Day.
Asked about the 27-year-old coming back to the Vicente Calderon, Cerezo told RTVE: “Right now, Diego is a Chelsea player and he has to focus on Chelsea.
“But you never know what will happen in football and sometimes players do return to their former clubs.”
Costa spent a total of six years on the books at Atletico, becoming a fan favourite after winning La Liga and reaching the Champions League final shortly before his move to Stamford Bridge.
The former Valladolid forward, who has three-and-a-half years left on his Chelsea deal, recently admitted that a return to the Spanish capital could be an option.
“You never know,” Costa told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
“Look at how well Filipe Luis is doing. Life is full of surprises. I always wish Atletico the best and always follow them and support them from afar.”
Costa will miss Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United tonight after picking up his fifth booking of the season against the Hornets on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Blues manager Guus Hiddink has urged Costa to concentrate on his day job of scoring goals and not fall into the traps that cause him to lose his temper.
The Spain striker scored twice as Hiddink’s second spell as Chelsea’s caretaker boss started on Boxing Day.
It took his season’s goal tally to six – some way short of his total of 13 at this point a year ago, but enough to suggest the poor attitude of the past few months can be put behind him.
Although Costa’s brace did suggest a welcome return to goal-scoring form, he did blot his copybook with a late booking that will mean he is suspended for tonight’s visit to Old Trafford.
Hiddink said: “You go into training and say, ‘focus on what you have to do’. When everyone knows what he’s capable of and he must not go into the trap, caused by himself or another.
“Focus on your first job and he showed that today with two terrific goals. That’s important and not wasting extra energy where you should not waste it.”
With the Stamford Bridge crowd once again singing his name, it marked a contrast with last week’s match against Sunderland, where Costa was jeered for allegedly being one of the players who didn’t show enough effort before Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Hiddink hailed Costa’s professional reaction to last week’s hostility: “When he was substituted by Steve Holland last week, he had a very good reaction as a professional.
“I think that made him think ‘how should I go on?’ and he showed that.”
While Costa shone, it was a disappointing afternoon for Cesc Fabregas, who was replaced at halftime following an anonymous display.
Hiddink insisted his withdrawal for John Obi Mikel was purely in the interests of balancing the team.
He said: “When we have a midfield with all creative players it is beautiful but sometimes you have to look for the balance and we that’s why we thought John Obi could bring that balance.
“You can play with all the creative players – like Matic and Oscar, Willian coming inside and Fabregas as well – but sometimes we have to choose in the different way.” – Daily Mail