Chelsea only have one choice left with Diego Costa
Diego Costa is a huge problem for Chelsea
Moments after Chelsea’s disappointing 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Arsenal rumours were already starting to swirl about Diego Costa’s future at Stamford Bridge. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte and company, the club have lost all control of the controversial centre forward.
Several weeks ago, Chelsea believed that Costa would net them a fortune in the summer transfer market. The transfer rumour mill was ablaze with reports of massive Chinese offers. It seemed likely that the Blues would be able to fund their move for a new world-class centre forward with the proceeds from a Costa sale.
Unfortunately for Conte, things have changed. The possibility of a massive Chinese payday has evaporated. As a result, Costa now claims there’s only one place he’s willing to go this summer. That destination, predictably, is Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone made him a star with the La Liga upstarts. Something about the fiery temperaments of both men brought out the best in each of them. A combination that should have caused massive explosions, only caused them at the expense of Atletico’s opponents.
While the desire to return to Atletico is easy to understand from Costa’s perspective, it’s a huge problem for his current club. By going public with his singular desire, the enigmatic striker has robbed his Premier League club of any transfer leverage they might have owned.
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Now the Blues will be lucky to receive a credible offer from Atletico. Simeone and Costa certainly keep in contact. That means the manager surely understands how serious his former player is about returning. He’ll use that knowledge to his advantage in transfer negotiations.
Chelsea must move quickly to limit the damage. The longer they allow Costa’s status to play out in the press, the more it’s going to cost them in terms of his transfer fee. If he’s truly determined to only accept a return to Madrid, it’s in everyone’s best interest to make it happen immediately.
That will cost the Blues some money, but Roman Abramovich has plenty of that. More importantly, it will allow the club to pursue a new striker without the spectre of Costa hanging over the proceedings. No rational football player is going to want to move to Stamford Bridge with the possibility of a conflict with Costa hanging over his head.
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Diego Costa has delivered trophies to Chelsea, but his run at Stamford Bridge is over. Antonio Conte must grant his wish to return to Atletico at the earliest possible opportunity.