Can you even bear to imagine it? Chelsea FC‘s warrior of a striker Diego Costa, lining up in red for Liverpool? Well it was close to becoming a reality in the summer of 2013 but thankfully, Costa turned down the offer from Brendan Rodgers and decided to stay at Atletico Madrid for one more season despite the Reds meeting his £21m release clause.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
The Brazilian turned Spaniard was on the lookout for regular opportunities as a solo striker and Radamel Falcao’s big money move to AS Monaco opened the door for exactly that to happen. If he had indeed moved to Liverpool he would have been paired with Luis Suarez to form one of the most feared striker partnerships in world football, if not in recent memory as well.
Diego Costa, as quoted by the Evening Standard, revealed the reason why he snubbed the Merseyside club. Costa said, “I was close to leaving Atletico. Liverpool are a great team, but after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave? I thought it was very important to keep growing with Atletico and to play there for many years.”
In hindsight it is clear that he made the right decision. After being forced out on the wing by Falcao, Diego Costa became the spearhead of Atletico’s attack and had a season for the ages. In 52 appearances for Atletico, Costa scored a remarkable 36 goals in all competitions.
His 20 goals the season before were just a tast of what was to come. His 27 goals in La Liga was just four goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo and just one goal behind the prolific Lionel Messi. Along with scoring goals in bunches, Diego Costa lead his club to a La Liga title and were it not for some persistent leg injuries, he could have lead Atletico to a Champions League trophy as well.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
Had Costa made the move to Liverpool perhaps he could have lifted a Premier League title as well. Liverpool were running rampant against all comers and looked like the team of destiny. The Reds scored 102 goals and finished two points shy of Manchester City in the title race. Would the addition of Diego Costa have been enough to earn Liverpool those extra two points? If his play this season for Chelsea FC this season is any indication then a resounding yes is the only answer.
Thankfully none of us had to witness that nightmare scenario and Diego Costa is, as the fans say, 100% “proper Chels”. His combative style is precisely what the club has been missing in recent years and his contributions this season may be enough to swing yet another league title in favor of his club.