Diego Costa is happy with his life at Stamford Bridge but he will never be able to leave a legacy to match that of Didier Drogba at Chelsea, manager Jose Mourinho thinks so.
The Brazil-borne Spain international prompted rumours of a summer return to his former side Atletico Madrid following the Blues’ 2-0 Champions League victory against Porto on Wednesday.
“You never know, look where Filipe Luis is now,” Costa told Onda Cero when asked about a return to the Spanish capital.
“Life takes plenty of twists and turns, I always wish Atletico the best and I always follow them, support them from afar.”
On Saturday night, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told: “[Costa] can slam that door shut again — it’s mighty cold in here.”
Last summer also there were reports in Spain claiming that Costa was not happy in England as he found the lifestyle difficult to adjust and a cold relationship with manager Mourinho in recent weeks, coupled with his frustrating start to the season – fuelled the speculations again suggesting that his days at Stamford Bridge were numbered.
However, Mourinho believes this is not the case, but also admits he would be quite surprised if Costa stays at Chelsea as long as Drogba, who spent nine long years with the Blues across two spells.
“He didn’t say [he wanted to go back to Atletico],” Mourinho said in an interview. “He said that in football you never know. Filipe Luis was one example, but he could also say Fernando Torres.
“Atletico is a great club, Madrid is a great city, La Liga is a very good league, so why not a player 28 years old [ Costa is 27] not to think that in football it’s possible to be back? I don’t see a problem.”
When asked if the troubled striker could go on and match Didier Drogba’s legacy at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho responded: “Drogba was here for 10 years. I don’t see Diego playing until he’s 38! He’s happy here, he likes to be here.
“He’s another one that has three years on his contract. I see him staying at Chelsea for three more years, no problem.”
With just four wins from 15 games this term, Mourinho’s man find themselves hobbling 16th in the Premier League, only one point above the bottom three.
They now face second-placed Leicester City, who have surprised many pundits by challenging at the top end of the league table.