Cesc Fabregas: I'll miss 'spectacular connection' with Diego Costa

Published on: 25 September 2017

The guys respond to your tweets about Lukaku and Morata, having to take a break during a match and more. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte thanks supporters for changing the words to a controversial chant for Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits he will miss his "spectacular connection" with Diego Costa, but hopes to build a strong bond with Alvaro Morata.

Costa is in Spain to complete his transfer from Chelsea back to former club Atletico Madrid for a fee reported to be in the region of £58 million.

The Spain international joined Chelsea from Atletico for £32m in the summer of 2014, the same time as Fabregas arrived at Stamford Bridge from Barcelona.

The pair have won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, with Costa finishing as the club's top scorer in each of his three full seasons, while they have also played alongside each other for Spain in the past.

"I spoke to Costa when he was watching the game [Atletico's 2-0 home win over Sevilla on Saturday]," Fabregas told Onda Cero.

"Diego is great. He will always be in my heart. We've spent three unforgettable years here in London, we won a lot together.

"We had a spectacular connection on and off the pitch and I consider him a great friend of mine."

Costa's last appearance for Chelsea came in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal in May, with the striker choosing to remain in his hometown of Lagarto, Brazil, this summer rather than return to London because of a dispute with the Premier League champions about his future.

Fabregas is glad that the Costa saga is over and hopes the player's return to Atletico benefits both parties.

Costa is reportedly going to be Atletico's most expensive signing, with his fee surpassing the €40m the Spanish club paid Porto for Radamel Falcao in the summer of 2011.

"He is very happy," Fabregas said of Costa. "It's been tough for him not knowing where he would play the past three months and seeing that the transfer window closed but his situation was unresolved. I hope this is also the best for Chelsea.

Cesc Fabregas enjoyed his time playing alongside Diego Costa.

"They [Costa and Chelsea] both deserve the best because they both had a good working relationship and it had to end well for both. I hope things go well for Diego and I'm sure he will continue to score many goals at his home [Atletico]."

While Costa is departing Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have another Spain international striker to call on in Alvaro Morata.

Morata, who played for Chelsea coach Antonio Conte when he was in charge of Juventus, joined the Blues this summer from Real Madrid.

Morata scored a hat trick in the 4-0 win at Stoke on Saturday and has netted six Premier League goals in all since his arrival.

"Alvaro is a great lad," Fabregas said. "He's come here to add and he is doing a great job. He has adapted very fast to what the coach wants and to the league, which is not an easy one for strikers.

"We are trying to help him as much as possible. He is working very well. For the past three years I've had with Diego a spectacular striker in front of me. I hope I have that great feeling with Alvaro.

"So far I've given him three [assists] and he hasn't scored them! I told him on Saturday that he puts away all except mine. Against Stoke I gave him two passes and he missed with only the keeper left to beat. I hope on Wednesday we get a better understanding!"

Chelsea next play away at Atletico on Wednesday in the Champions League.

"Atletico are a great team as always and it's going to be complicated," Fabregas said. "I hope I can play on Wednesday and help my team. Atletico is a top club, with great players and an impressive coach [Diego Simeone]."

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.

Comments

Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.

Source: espn.co.uk

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more