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Chelsea's Costa ready to fight on all fronts

Diego Costa believes Chelsea can challenge for the quadruple this season © Getty Images

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Diego Costa admits it was an "easy decision" to leave Atletico Madrid for Chelsea and believes his new club can challenge for the quadruple this season.

Manager Jose Mourinho splashed £32 million on the striker this summer, having spent a large chunk of last season complaining about his lacklustre strikeforce. With Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Filipe Luis all joining the forward at Stamford Bridge, Costa says Chelsea have the required strength to challenge on all fronts.

Everton closing in on Atsu deal

• Roberto Martinez says Everton have agreed a deal "in principle" to take Chelsea youngster Christian Atsu on a season's long loan.
• Chelsea are keen for the deal to go through, although it is thought they want guarantees that winger Atsu will be given first-team football at Goodison Park.
• "Everything has been agreed with Christian," Martinez said. "It's just a matter of finalising little details more with his work permit and personal situation.
• "That will probably take a couple of days to get sorted but we have an agreement in principle to make the move as a loan deal until the end of the season."
• Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto last summer but was loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem, where he spent the entirety of last season.

"Joining was an easy decision for me. We have some of the best players in the world, the best manager in the world and it's a club with great history," Costa told the London Evening Standard.

"I want to improve, not only as a player but as an individual, and I believe this is the perfect place for me to do that. That's the reason I chose Chelsea and why I want to defend this shirt.

"I hate losing. I don't want to lose and I do everything I can to make sure my team doesn't lose. They say the English game is more physical than in Spain, so hopefully I'll do well.

"We have an outstanding squad and, if we can all stick together, pull in the same direction and remain focused, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be going to the final stages and fighting for every trophy available."

Costa has settled in well at Chelsea and scored an impressive goal in their pre-season friendly win against Fenerbahce last Friday.

The 25 year old scored the penalty which effectively ended Chelsea's Champions League hopes last April when Atletico ran out 3-1 winners in their semi-final second leg clash in west London.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are confident Drogba will recover quickly from the ankle injury he suffered in the 2-1 pre-season friendly win against Ferencvaros in Budapest.

The 36-year-old, making his first start for the club since rejoining Chelsea after two years, was assessed on the club's return to London having limped off in the first half on Sunday.

It is understood the results of the tests were positive and that Drogba could be available for Chelsea's Premier League opener at Burnley on Monday.

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