Diego Costa: Drogba was the example

Posted Friday, February 10, 2017 by Foxsports.com

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has revealed his admiration for Didier Drogba, thanking the Blues legend for helping him during his early days in London.

The Spain international shared a single season with the former C?te d'Ivoire captain when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge, while Drogba was returning for a second stint.

"I have always seen Drogba as the example to follow in terms of a centre-forward," Costa told the Evening Standard.

"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, 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.

"He made history here, so could have been dismissive of me but, no, he was always fantastic with me. 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."