Reports: Chelsea FC Reject Atletico Madrid Diego Costa Enquiry
It’s silly season and the latest reports claim that Chelsea FC have rejected an enquiry from Atletico Madrid regarding striker Diego Costa.
The winter transfer window is kicking into full gear as rumours fly around the footballing world. With Diego Costa having a torrid first half of the season, he is one Chelsea player being subjected to speculation. Now, the latest reports state that Atletico Madrid have enquired about the striker, but have been rebuffed by the Blues.
The Spanish international moved to Stamford Bridge from Atletico in the summer of 2014, but it has been suggested that both parties are open to a reunion. However, the Mirror claims that Chelsea may be blocking it from materialising.
"Diego Simeone has seen a cheeky move for Diego Costa knocked back by Chelsea. Atletico Madrid boss Simeone, who is Chelsea’s No.1 target to be their next manager, enquired about Costa’s availability after his unhappy season at Stamford Bridge."
More chelsea fc: John Stones Should Still Be Chelsea FC’s Number One Target
In fact, rumours had surfaced during the summer that Costa had failed to fully settle in at Stamford Bridge and was looking for a return to Spain. While nothing came out of it at the time, the forward’s awful start to campaign led to stories regarding a January exit to rear their head.
Costa could not score to save his life throughout the first half of the campaign and, worse, he appeared to have forgotten how to play like a striker. He was seldom found in the right position or making the appropriate run as he seemed more concerned with getting into confrontations with the opposition and/or officials.
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 way in which his career was headed was best represented by the infamous Bib-Gate incident, in which he flung a training bib in Jose Mourinho’s direction having been dropped from the starting line-up.
Despite his recent resurgence under Guus Hiddink, which has seen him hit the back of the net three times in two games, there is no guarantee that he is back to the form of last season.
Due to this, and a palpable discord *cough* between Costa and the fans, Diego Simeone has evidently spotted his opportunity to bring one of his favorite sons back to the Vicente Calderon.
While the Blues have batted back the attempt (if there even was one), it is interesting to see how this develops. Atletico’s Jackson Martinez is a reported target for Chelsea and thus there may be scope for some sort of swap deal to be struck. Martinez has struggled so far under Simeone and could be open to an exit.
Next: Chelsea FC’s All-Time Best XI
Costa, though, will hopefully be focused on turning these couple of decent displays into a sustained run of impressive form. Love him or hate him, Chelsea do need him at the moment.