Chelsea: Jose Mourinho shuts down Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid transfer rumours

Jose Mourinho has played down Diego Costa's recent comments on a potential return to Atletico Madrid. The Chelsea boss believes the Spain international will see out his three-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but admits it is normal for the 27-year-old to want to return to a "great" city like Madrid.

Costa has been linked with a move back to the Vicente Calderon since last summer, amid reports that he had failed to adapt to the London lifestyle and weather. His poor start to the campaign increased speculation, especially with Mourinho dropping him to the bench in recent league matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.

The Spain striker did little to quell the rumours following last week's Champions League win against Porto, pointing out that Filipe Luis had moved on in the summer following just one season at Stamford Bridge.

"You never know – look where Filipe Luis is now. Life is full of surprises," he said to Onda Cero. "I always wish Atletico the best and I always follow them, I support them from afar."

But Mourinho has played down those comments, insisting: "He said that in football you never know. Filipe Luis was one example, you could say also Fernando Torres is another example.

"Atleti are a great club, Madrid is a great city, La Liga is a very good league so why should a player who is 27-years-old not think that in football it is possible to be back. I don't see that as a problem."

Mourinho added that he believes Costa will stay at the club for at least three more seasons, although he admitted he cannot see the Spaniard emulating club legend Didier Drogba.

"Drogba was here for 10 years. I don't see Diego playing until 37 or 38, but he is happy here, he likes to be here," he said. "He has I think three more years on his contract. I see him staying at Chelsea for three more years, no problem."