Chelsea forward Diego Costa: 'I am the owner of my future'

Posted Wednesday, May 10, 2017 by Tribalfootball.com

Chelsea forward Diego Costa has commented publicly about speculation that he is going to be playing in China next season.

Recent reports have stated that the 28-year old is mulling a huge money deal from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjin. The club, which is managed by former Italy and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavarro, have reportedly offered to pay Costa £600,000 per-week and £75m to Chelsea for the transfer fee.

Photos emerged last week of Costa meeting with his agent Jorge Mendes and a group of men in London, which has only added further fuel to the rumour.

But despite the growing belief that Costa won't be at Stamford Bridge next season, the Spaniard reiterated on South American broadcaster DirecTV that he will decide what happens in the summer: "I am the owner of my future, but it does not mean that I am going to China."

Costa, who arrived from Atletico Madrid for £32m in 2014, has a contract with the Blues for another two seasons. However, Blues manager Antonio Conte has stated the 'will of the player' is important for all the members of his squad, which points towards the decision being on Costa's shoulders.

The bruising forward has had an up-and-down season for the Blues in terms of effort, but his production in front of goal has been excellent. He netted his 20thgoal of the season - good for 3rdbest in the league - in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Monday night. By reaching the mark, he now joins club legends Didier Drogba and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the only Chelsea players to score 20 or more goals in two seasons.