Diego Costa admitted he was close to leaving Chelsea in order to return to Atletico Madrid during the summer of 2016.

Costa has returned to form this season, scoring 14 goals.

"Could I have gone in the summer? Yes, yes. I was about to leave," the 28-year-old told The Telegraph.

"I was about to but, well, I am happy here as well and that's that. Did I want to go? Yes, yes. I had the possibility to go to Atletico, because of a few things, the family, the life I have there.

"But not because of Chelsea, because, here, there is a lot of love with the supporters, with the people, so I am here very happy, I am very content.

"People love me a lot. There was one thing I wanted to change for family reasons but, well, it was not to be and I continue to be happy here. It was important too that the manager, from the very first minute, said he counted on me."