Diego Costa credits Chelsea legend Didier Drogba for making his £32m move from Atletico Madrid a success

Diego Costa says he has Didier Drogba to thank for making his £32million move to Chelsea a success.

Costa is on course to finish as the club’s top scorer for the third successive season following his move from Atletico Madrid.

Drogba, who won 12 major trophies and was voted the club’s greatest player by Chelsea fans in 2012, was at Stamford Bridge during the Spain international’s first campaign in west London. But while he had to settle regularly for a place on the bench, the new man was making a flying start.

Drogba watched his old team-mates, including Costa, in action on Saturday, beating London rivals Arsenal 3-1.

Costa argues that the former Ivory Coast international’s influence on him during 2014-15 remains and feels he owes him a great debt.

“I have always seen Drogba as the example to follow in terms of a centre-forward,” said Costa. “He was strong and scored loads of goals and he was a quality player.

“Just watching him train helped me. Just seeing him, I was amazed. This is because — and I’m not making this up at all — I specifically used to watch Chelsea [before he joined], who are obviously a big club, just to see Drogba. He was famous and everyone would talk about him. I even liked watching him when he played for the Ivory Coast.

“When I arrived here, he was never cold with me, quite the opposite. I wasn’t exactly scared of him, but he was such a legend who had helped the club grow and been a part of all that.

“He made history here, so could have been dismissive of me but, no, he was always fantastic with me. I will always have fond memories of him and whenever I see him, I thank him. It’s not always easy for someone with so much history to be in that position.

“I was playing well, scoring goals, and he would support and motivate me, whereas others might not have done the same. I take my hat off to him.”

Costa has been a controversial figure since he arrived from Spain.

Costa explained his combative nature, telling Chelsea TV: “Perhaps you could say it comes from when I used to play in the streets [back in Brazil], playing alongside my brother and cousins.

“I always wanted to win. Everyone has a bit of that in them, but I have even more of a will to win. Sometimes I might go overboard, whereas there are others who, yes, they want to win, but if they don’t it’s no big deal for them.

“I’m different. I want to win and always have done since I was small. I don’t know if it’s in my blood or just my personality.”

The 28-year-old (below, with Drogba) has also taken strength from the support he has received when his critics have been at their most vocal.

“Not just the fans at the ground but the other Chelsea supporters and my team-mates have shown that they care about me and I feel the same about them, too,” he said.

“If I go on to the pitch, do things well and the fans love me and my team-mates, too, we take on that energy which can change a game.

“I don’t know what it is exactly, but when the fans get behind you it gives you a boost and can change a game completely.

“When a game is not going your way, you need them because it gives you an extra push.”