The forward was warmly received by the club where he won two Premier League titles, and although it was a special day for the 34-year-old to make his first return to west London, Costa admits it was always going to be a difficult task to overcome the Blues. But with a home debut on the horizon this weekend against Forest, he believes Wolves must do everything in their power to kickstart their season with a positive result.
On his first Wolves start
“It felt good. I am finding my rhythm now. I am training hard and looking after myself a lot more than before to be able to play at the best possible level.
“Every day I’m feeling better. I hope that I can play in the next game and play well. The next game is where the league starts for us.
“We knew that Chelsea, with the players they have, were the favourites to win. They’re in a different league to us, but our next game is a must-win. We need to try and get a good run going.”
His first Wolves start at Stamford Bridge.
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 8, 2022
🤩🐺 pic.twitter.com/Oj0cPiFJeS
On returning to his old stomping ground
“It was a very special day, coming back to Stamford Bridge and playing against them. We knew that it was going to be a very difficult game, it’s very different when you’re playing against them, constantly playing on the back foot.
“But the fans here have always been incredible to me for all the years that I was here. I want to thank them so much for the affection they have shown me – it makes me very happy.
“I’m disappointed about the result though because even though we knew it was going to be a difficult game we hoped we would get a positive result. Now we need to think about the next game.”
On the reception he received
“I have been at a lot of clubs with great fanbases but I think that the fans here [at Chelsea] have given me the most support. There’s something different about them. I didn’t expect it, but I also did expect it because they always showed me so much love.
“We won the Premier League twice and a cup. I was so happy here. It's only when you leave somewhere when you realise just how happy you were. It’s such a huge, impressive club. I have so many good memories.”
On a change of head coach
“I hadn’t been with him [Lage] for long but he's an amazing person and everybody says that about him. I’m grateful to him for bringing me here.
“I didn’t really work with him much because we had some bad results and you know what happens in football. It was the club’s decision but we were all quite upset because we really liked him.
£It was a big shame, but that is life, and we have to keep moving forward. We have to turn the page now and get out of this situation that we find ourselves in. That’s our objective.”
