Diego Costa has revealed he was drawn to Chelsea in his days as a youngster because of the legendary Didier Drogba.
The 28-year-old says Drogba was an inspirational figure well before his move from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea.
‘I have always seen Drogba as the example to follow in terms of a centre-forward,’ Costa told the Evening Standard.
‘Just watching him train helped me. Just seeing him, I was amazed. This is because — and I’m not making this up at all — I specifically used to watch Chelsea [before I joined], who are obviously a big club, just to see Drogba. He was famous and everyone would talk about him. I even liked watching him when he played for the Ivory Coast.
‘When I arrived here, he was never cold with me, quite the opposite. I wasn’t exactly scared of him, but he was such a legend who had helped the club grow and been a part of all that.
‘He made history here, so could have been dismissive of me but, no, he was always fantastic with me. I will always have fond memories of him and whenever I see him, I thank him. It’s not always easy for someone with so much history to be in that position.
‘I was playing well, scoring goals, and he would support and motivate me, whereas others might not have done the same. I take my hat off to him.’
