Diego Costa is gearing up for a crucial game in La Liga on Saturday: the Madrid Derby. However, ahead of that highly-anticipated tie, the Spaniard was asked to reminisce over his past in an interview with Marca, with the issue of his Chelsea spell being rehashed.
The combative forward, who quickly grew into a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge, fell out with then manager Antonio Conte. Their relationship quickly turned sour, with the Brazilian-born ace being cut out of the squad en route to his eventual departure.
A year has passed since Costa left London to return to Madrid but he is yet to make peace with his former Italian boss. The manager whom he failed to see eye-to-eye with was sacked by the Blues over the summer, a point the 29-year-old was eager to bring up.
Speaking with the Spanish outlet, he revealed regret over leaving Los Rojiblancos for Chelsea and aimed a fresh dig at Conte. He said:
"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."
Despite signing for the Simeone's side in September 2017, he could not make his second debut with the club until January due to the team's transfer embargo. Costa, however, was willing to make that sacrifice in order to escape his Chelsea nightmare.
Nonetheless, he described his experience in the English top-flight as "impressive". In his three seasons there, Costa won two league crowns and scored 52 goals for the London outfit.
Since rejoining Atletico, he has rekindled the form that terrified defenders. He helped Los Rojiblancos win the Europa League a few months after his second debut and then led the club to the UEFA Super Cup courtesy of a 4-2 win over Real Madrid, with Costa grabbing a brace.
The Wanda Metropolitano will lock horns with their city rival once more on Saturday. This league tie follows Los Blancos' 3-0 loss to Sevilla, with Atletico aiming to hand them a second consecutive defeat.
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