During his time in the Premier League, Diego Costa was known for his win-at-all-costs attitude to the beautiful game.
The Spanish striker signed for Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2014 under the management of Jose Mourinho.
He smashed 20 goals in 26 appearances in his first full season as Chelsea won the Premier League, before notching 12 and 20 goals in his second and third seasons.
The Spaniard then left the Blues under acriminous circumstances in the summer of 2017 to return to former club Atletico.
During those four years, Costa not only scored plenty of goals, but also loved a physical confrontation with opposing defenders.
One instance saw him given a straight red card for a rather close confrontation with Everton’s Gareth Barry in an FA Cup tie.
There was another time where he pressed heads with Jamie Vardy against Leicester – and the time he squared up to Steven Gerrard.
Costa’s comments after signing for new club
Costa is now playing for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil after his contract in Spain expired.
His latest comments upon signing for the club probably won’t surprise many.
He told TV Galo in Brazil (translation via SPORTbible): “If my mother was on the pitch and I had to beat her to win, I would.
“I’m going to do everything to win.”
Mineiro fans will be delighted to know, then, that Costa hasn’t changed at all since his Chelsea and Atletico Madrid days.
The Spaniard was linked with Wolves for most of the January transfer window. It was even claimed by Todo Fichajes that he had offered himself to Arsenal.
For now, though, there’s no return to the Premier League for one of its most divisive characters.
Mineiro currently sit top of the Brazilian Serie A, having won nine of their last 10 matches. That means that Costa could end his first season in Brazil with another league title.
His new side travel to take on Fluminense at the Maracana on Sunday.
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