Chelsea striker Diego Costa claims he has been misunderstood by fans of his old club Atletico Madrid, saying comments he made on his recent transfer had been twisted.
The 25-year-old signed to Chelsea earlier this month on the activation of his buy-out clause for a fee reported to be in the region of £32m.
Costa left behind him in Spain a top club whom he had greatly assisted in securing a stunning finale to the 2013/2014 season. Atletico won the Spanish La Liga title and went almost all the way in Europe’s biggest tournament too – they were Champions League runners-up.
The Spaniard claims to have received backlash from Atletico supporters who had read remarks in news articles which they deemed disparaging towards the very club that made him into the huge star he is today.
Costa denied making the offending comments, in particular ones suggesting he had moved away from Atletico because it was ‘easy to leave’ and he wanted to ‘play for a big club like Chelsea.’
In his defence he told Spanish media outlet MARCA he would never dream of saying disrespectful things about his old club, because he owes so much of his successful playing career to Atletico.
“I’d never disrespect Atlético by saying they weren’t big. I fought hard to make it at Atlético,” he said.
“I’m leaving a big club, Atlético, for another big club, Chelsea. I owe everything to Atlético and I will never forget the fans there.”
The Spanish ace stressed how much respect he has for his old Atletico boss Diego Simeone, and said he would never place Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho on a higher pedestal than Simeone.
“Simeone knows that I’d never show him any disrespect. I owe him a lot,” he said.
“The reason I am here at Chelsea is because of Atlético and ‘El Cholo’, who have both taught me so much.
“People have twisted my words. I said that Mourinho is considered by many to be one of the best coaches in the world, because so many of his players say so.
“I have just started working with him and whilst I am excited, I owe so much to Atlético and Simeone. For me they have been the best.
“Let’s hope it will be as good here with Mourinho, but it’s still early days yet for me to say that,” he concluded.