Diego
Costa says he was always “amazed” by Didier Drogba and claims he was
learning from the striker even before he joined Chelsea.
The Spaniard has scored 51 goals in 103 games for the Stamford Bridge side
since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and is well placed to win his
second Premier League title in three years, with the Blues sitting nine
points clear at the top of the table.
He and Drogba won the league together in Costa's first season at the club
and the 28-year-old has credited the Ivorian with having a big impact on his
prolific spell with Chelsea.
"I have always seen Drogba as the example to follow in terms of a
centre-forward," Costa told Chelsea TV. "He was strong and scored loads of
goals and he was a quality player.
"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 he 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."
Costa says Drogba, who won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the
Champions League with Chelsea, was very supportive of him when he arrived at
the club and believes he has much to thank his former team-mate for.
"He made history here, so could have been dismissive of me but, no, he was
always fantastic with me," Costa said. "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."
Costa endured a difficult second season with Chelsea as some fans turned on
him, and some team-mates, during a disappointing campaign last year before
being left out by Antonio Conte for his side's trip to Leicester this term
over an injury and reported interest from China.
However, Costa has credited the Chelsea faithful and says support from fans
is vital for him and his team-mates as they look to secure another Premier
League title.
"Not just the fans at the ground, but the other Chelsea supporters and my
team-mates have shown that they care about me and I feel the same about
them, too," said Costa.
"If I go on to the pitch, do things well and the fans love me and my
team-mates, too, we take on that energy which can change a game.
"I don't know what it is exactly, but when the fans get behind you it gives
you a boost and can change a game completely. When a game is not going your
way, you need them because it gives you an extra push."
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