
Jose
Mourinho insists Diego Costa is happy at Chelsea, but refused to rule out
the possibility of the forward returning to former club Atletico Madrid in
the future.
Costa has scored just four times for Chelsea this season and the Spain
international admitted in October he was overweight when he returned for
pre-season training in the summer.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Blues from Atletico for £32m in July 2014,
scored 21 goals for Chelsea last season, but has looked far from the same
player this campaign.
His frustrations boiled over when he was dropped for Chelsea's goalless draw
with Tottenham in November, throwing his substitute's bib in the direction
of Mourinho after warming up on the touchline.
Costa has since apologised for his act of petulance, but threw his long-term
future at Chelsea into doubt when he refused to rule out a return to the
Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Asked about whether he could return to Atletico on Spanish radio station
Onda Cero, Costa said: "You never know."
When asked about rumours that Costa is not settled in London, Mourinho said:
"He didn't say that. He said that in football you never know.
"Filipe Luis was one example. He could also say Fernando Torres, another
example.
"Atletico is a great club, La Liga is a great league, so why should a
28-year-old player not think it is possible to go back? I don't see a
problem.
"He is happy here. He has, I think, three more years under contract. I see
him staying at Chelsea for three more years, no problem."
Leicester v Chelsea Charlie Nicholas' Tips: Eden Hazard to score first and
Chelsea to win 3-1 80/1