MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 21:33:17| >> :120:7274:7274:

Ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa opens up on Antonio Conte feud

Diego Costa opens up on Antonio Conte feud
© Reuters
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa insists that he does not regret going on strike in his final days at Chelsea as he knew his time at the club was up.

Diego Costa has insisted that he "was very happy" at Chelsea but felt that he had no choice but to leave the club and join Atletico Madrid last year.

The Spain international departed Stamford Bridge in September 2017 following a bitter falling-out with manager Antonio Conte, who informed the striker via text that he was not part of his future plans.

Costa initially went AWOL, weeks after playing a pivotal role in the Blues' Premier League title success, before eventually being granted his return to the Spanish capital.

Speaking about the switch 12 months on, the 29-year-old says that he does not regret going on strike.

"I wanted to play. Chelsea are also a big club. At that time, I needed to change," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "I'd done things very well and wanted to try something different. I was very happy at the club and with the fans, they had a great affection for me. I'm always proud and that gives me confidence, I feel comfortable.

"I left, I won two Premier League titles... I already told [Diego Simeone] that he had to sign me to start winning things. He knows that I love him, and the group... almost all of them were still there. When I left, I was leaving some colleagues I'd known since I was 10. It was a very bad moment but it wasn't my fault. People said things, but time puts everything in its place.

"Look where the coach is, look at Conte. I was wrong going to Chelsea because of their way of dealing with things. Cholo (Simeone) is a direct coach, and when he doesn't love you, it's clear and he facilitates it. At Chelsea it was the opposite.

"I had the option of returning to Atleti and when Chelsea told me to go back to training with the B team... I was clear that I was going back to Atletico, even though there were other offers. If not, I would've stayed in Brazil with my family. I had to live my whole life with my family. I have other values that no money can buy."

Costa scored 52 goals across three Premier League campaigns for Chelsea.

ID:337206: cacheID:337206:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3119:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid on September 25, 2018
Read Next:
How Atletico could line up against Real Madrid
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!