Gabi: Atletico would love to have Diego Costa back

Diego Costa: No Atleti return for frontmen

Diego Costa: No Atleti return for frontmen

Atletico Madrid captain Gabi says Chelsea striker Diego Costa would be welcomed back to the Vicente Calderon after claiming Jackson Martinez “didn’t suit the team”.

The 29-year-old Colombian joined Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for £31.7million earlier this month after scoring just three goals in 22 games following his summer move from Porto.

And midfielder Gabi feels Costa, who scored 54 goals in 114 Atletico appearances before joining Chelsea in July 2014, would prove the perfect replacement.

“Bringing (Costa) back wouldn’t be a bad thing,” Gabi told Radio Marca.

“Costa or (Alvaro) Morata (for Spain)? Costa.

“Jackson Martinez’s way of working didn’t suit the team.”

Second-placed Atletico currently trail Primera Division leaders Barcelona by three points having played a game more.

Diego Simeone’s side head to mid-table Getafe on Sunday, while Barcelona host seventh-placed Celta Vigo.

Atletico have won only one of their last five games in all competitions and Gabi feels the Colchoneros suffer by not having a Lionel Messi or Luiz Suarez in their ranks.

“Barca are favourites (on all fronts) and will continue breaking records very forcefully.

“We don’t have a Messi, Suarez or Cristiano (Ronaldo).

“At the moment (Antoine) Griezmann isn’t making the same differences as those guys. He’s not currently on Messi’s level.

“All those players are worth 100 million euros. We have less chances (of success) than them.”