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Could Diego Costa return to Atletico Madrid this summer?

By Vijay Vemu

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 9: Diego Costa of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge stadium on March 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 9: Diego Costa of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge stadium on March 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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Could the former Atletico Madrid striker move back to his old stomping grounds in the summer? 

It has been a rough season for Chelsea FC as the club has fallen off since they won the title last season. They currently sit 10th in the Barclays Premier League and unless they have a great run of form and the teams in front of them falter, European football is out of the picture.

Given the frustrating season and the poor form of some players such as Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, change is imminent. Reports strongly confirm that former Juventus and current Italian national team manager Antonio Conte has agreed to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge. Conte will bring a new formation, as he will use a 3-5-2 formation mostly, and new players as well.

The likes of Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, and Romelu Lukaku have been linked to the Blues as a potential offseason moves. Even those these moves are just rumors, some moves will be made. Some will come to Stamford Bridge and some will leave. One of them could be striker Diego Costa.

After lighting up the Premier League last season, Costa has failed to capitalize on his momentum for last season as he has scored just 15 goals in 38 appearances. It was a costly move for Chelsea to buy him from Atletico Madrid as the Blues paid 32 million for his services. He lived up to the price tag last season but hasn’t this season. With Conte coming in next season the future is uncertain for the Spanish striker and he could return home this season.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is keen on trying to bring Costa back to the Vicente Calderón. He was great for Simeone while at Atletico as he helped lead them to a La Liga title and Champions League runner-up spot in the 2013-14 season.

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Bringing back Costa would be a good fit for Atletico as they don’t have a physical striker like Costa on the squad at the moment. After Jackson Martinez left for China, Atletico have Luciano Vietto, Antoine Griezmann, and Fernando Torres as the main strikers. Costa’s move could be a good depth move as he could pair up well with Griezmann as the main strikers up top. It will also allow Vietto, who is only 22, more a chance to learn and develop as a striker.

Chelsea have said that Costa isn’t going anywhere but even that is uncertain. Nobody knows who Conte wants to stay at Stamford Bridge and who he will let go. If it’s Costa who gets his walking papers, he could return home to Spain.

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