Filipe Luis says Chelsea will be fortunate to play in the Champions League final group game against Atletico Madrid without Diego Costa.
The former Chelsea striker left Stamford Bridge last summer after he was involved in an open feud with Antonio Conte, after he claimed the Chelsea coach wanted to see his back at the club. Conte denied any such comments from Costa, insisting the club had taken the decision to let the striker go before the summer.
The protracted problems led to Chelsea agreeing to sell him late to his former side, and was unable to join the Los Rojiblancos before the Champions League and La Liga player registrations.
That effectively rules Costa out of the game tonight at Stamford Bridge, that would have marked his first return to his stomping grounds. Luis says it will be a huge blow for his side to march to London without ‘animal’ Costa.
“Diego is a huge player. Best player for me [at Chelsea] is him because he scores a lot of goals and important goals.
I think he came back to Atletico because Chelsea couldn’t keep him because it’s his desire. He really wanted to come back to Atletico. He was happy here. He did his job really well. His most important desire was to come back.”Filipe Luis, Evening Standard
