Ballack: Costa needs to show loyalty to Chelsea

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack believes that Diego Costa needs to show more loyalty to the Blues.

Costa has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League, with Tianjan Quanjian reportedly willing to pay the striker £400,000 a week.

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The Spain international moved to Stamford Bridge in 2014, and has scored 47 Premier League goals in 74 appearances to date.

Ballack believes that Costa should repay the faith shown in him by Chelsea, and needs to ignore talk of a move to China.

“It’s up to him with his attitude and his commitment to the club,” Ballack told talkSPORT.

“Because he’s playing for Chelsea and they gave him the possibility to shine and to perform well at one of the biggest clubs in Europe – and he should not forget that.

“Of course, offers are coming with crazy numbers from China, but players should remember they are playing in a fantastic league in Europe and are top of the top, in terms of being watched, the quality of clubs, the players and they are on good money. Nobody would complain about their contracts."

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Ballack has been impressed by how Costa has reacted to the transfer speculation, scoring the opening goal against Hull City as Antonio Conte returned him to the Chelsea starting XI.

The former Germany international, who won the Premier League with the Blues, feels that Costa has issued the perfect response to the rumours.

“It’s a bit of a disturbance to see all these offers coming in, but Costa is professional enough to see what a fantastic club Chelsea is," the 40-year-old said.

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“On the other side, each club and each player has to deal with these kinds of situations.

"What is important; is that they win the league and the next game. Already, he found a good answer last week by coming back and scoring.”