Marcel Desailly has advised Diego Costa to walk away from Stamford Bridge if it is what he really wants.
The Spain international has been a huge contributor to the Blues’ Premier League title charge, scoring 17 goals in the top flight this season.
However, his attacking threat has waned since January following widespread reports in the British media that he was wanted by Chinese Super League clubs.
The rumours that he could leave Chelsea in the summer continue to circulate, with The Express recently reporting that the British weather is preventing him from settling into life in England, despite living in London since his 2014 switch from Atletico Madrid.
Earlier in the season, Costa told radio station El Larguero that he tried to orchestrate a return to his former club in Spain, but he was denied.
The 28-year-old is expected to be a regular feature in the transfer gossip pages when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season, and now Desailly has given his say.
In an interview with talkSPORT, the retired France international said:
“He should go if he feels [like it]. Money now in modern football is high and if a Chinese or another rich team comes for him in the summer, he will have to go.
“Fans don’t attach themselves to the players, it’s the club, the club is the most important thing. But if I was him I would stay – nobody could put him in danger of losing his place at Chelsea.”
