According to reports in the British media, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone wants Chelsea’s Diego Costa to return to Madrid in the summer.
Since taking over at the Vicente Calderon in 2011, Simeone has managed to make Atletico Madrid one of the most feared clubs in all of Europe. The Argentine has won a remarkable five trophies in five years with the club, breaking the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly by winning La Liga in 2013-14. He has also led the capital club to two Champions League finals in three years.
According to a report in the Daily Star, Simeone is unsure whether he will stay on manager of Atletico after their recent loss to Real Madrid. The report states that El Cholo will stay on at the club only if the Atletico hierarchy manage to get him a big-name, world class signing, and the former Inter Milan midfielder wants Diego Costa back in Madrid.
Atletico Madrid have always been a selling club without the financial might of rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Simeone has worked wonders to keep his team competitive at the highest level domestically and in European competition.
Costa back to the Colchoneros
Diego Costa played an integral role in Atletico Madrid’s title winning campaign, scoring 36 goals for them in all competitions that season. His performances didn’t go unnoticed by Europe’s elite and Chelsea immediately brought him to Stamford Bridge the next season.
After a successful first season at Chelsea, where he scored 20 league goals and helped them to two trophies, Costa, like many of the Chelsea players, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this term. A torrid season has seen doubts being cast over the futures of many Chelsea players.
Reports earlier in the season claimed that Costa was unhappy at Chelsea and was looking for a move back to Spain, while a move to PSG was also on the cards. However, the Spain international had a positive end to the 2015-16 season and is reportedly very much part of Antonio Conte’s plans for next season. As such, it would take a truly persuasive offer from the Madrid club for the Blues to consider selling their top goalscorer.
