Cesc
Fabregas has paid tribute to Diego Costa ahead of his move from Chelsea to
Atletico Madrid, saying the striker "deserves to be on the field".
Sky sources understand Atleti will pay more than £50m to sign Costa, who
must pass a medical and agree personal terms before the move can be
confirmed.
The Spain forward, who refused to train at Chelsea this summer in a bid to
force through a transfer, is set to rejoin his former club in January when
Atleti's transfer ban expires.
"It's a shame for him more than anyone," Fabregas told
Marca.
"Diego knew that signing for Atletico meant he could not play for a few
months.
"It has been a difficult situation for him, for Chelsea. He deserves to be
on the field."
Costa and Fabregas both signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2014 and helped
the club win two Premier League titles and a League Cup.
"Diego is always [a friend] and never a rival," Fabregas added. "In recent
years there has not been a better pure No 9 than him.
"I understood him myself perfectly. He knew my football, he read my passes
and most importantly, he got on the end of them.
"He gives a lot to the team. It is not only the Diego you see on the field.
He is a character that greatly encourages the group."
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