On return: Diego Costa raises allegations against ex-Chelsea coach
Diego Costa
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Diego Costa insists he only left Chelsea because of Antonio Conte.
Diego Costa has welcomed the warm welcome from Chelsea fans on his return to Stamford Bridge. He stressed that his departure was due to former coach Antonio Conte – he still has the club in his heart.
Costa spent three seasons in west London and was instrumental in two Premier League titles. He scored 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea before rejoining Atletico Madrid after a falling out with Conte.
He returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time with his new club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of his former club. Before kick-off and after his substitution, he was cheered and applauded by the home fans.
In conversation with ESPN Costa revealed after the game that he was relieved that Chelsea fans would remember him fondly, while blaming ex-Chelsea manager Conte for his departure at the time.
“It was special,” Costa said of his reception. “The feeling that you’ve done your job when you’ve been here and then leave with good memories. To receive that affection from the Chelsea fans… I’ve always felt affection. I can’t speak for the Chelsea fans complain. When I was here, they always treated me well.”
On his departure from the club, Costa added: “It wasn’t because of the fans. It was because of this manager [Conte]. I had a very good relationship with the Chelsea fans. I was a champion! It was the year we won the second title. He didn’t count on me that much and I couldn’t stay.”
“The affection I received today shows that I never argued with the fans. But I had to go. That wasn’t my problem. At that moment it was up to the coach. Today is proof of that the spectators were always by my side and showed me their affection,” said Costa, who avoided even saying Conte’s name.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as On return: Diego Costa raises allegations against ex-Chelsea coach released.