Diego Costa is happy to stay at Chelsea but will not leave a legacy to match that of Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge, according to manager Jose Mourinho.
The Spain international prompted speculation of a summer return to Atletico Madrid in the wake of the Blues’ 2-0 Champions League win over Porto on Wednesday.
“You never know — look where Filipe Luis is now,” Costa responded when asked by Onda Cero about a move back 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, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told an awards dinner in San Sebastian de los Reyes: “[Costa] can slam that door shut again — it’s mighty cold in here.”
Last summer reports in Spain claimed that Costa was struggling to settle in England, and public tensions with Mourinho in recent weeks — coupled with the striker’s underwhelming start to the season — fuelled speculation that his days at Stamford Bridge were numbered.
Mourinho insists this is not the case, but admits he would be surprised if Costa remained at Chelsea as long as Drogba, who spent nine years with the club across two spells.
“He didn’t say [he wanted to go back to Atletico],” Mourinho told reporters. “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 [sic: Costa is 27] not to think that in football it’s possible to be back? I don’t see a problem.”
When asked if Costa could go on and match Drogba’s legacy at Chelsea, Mourinho replied: “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.”
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