‘I’d prefer the player to the money’ – Ray Wilkins disappointed by Diego Costa’s Chelsea exit

Rya Wilkins has told talkSPORT he is gutted to see Diego Costa depart Chelsea.

After a public falling out with Antonio Conte, the striker is heading back to Atletico Madrid after the Spanish side thrashed out an agreement with the Premier League champions on Thursday.

Atletico are understood to be paying an initial £57million to land Costa, who has been AWOL in his native Brazil since the start of the season.

But Wilkins, the former Chelsea star and assistant boss, says the large fee does not make up for the loss of such an influential player.

Speaking as a co-host on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, he said: “I’d prefer the player to the money.

“They have doubled their money but, as a player, the fella was a beast. He terrorised defenders - they didn't like him - and he scored goals.

"He was top drawer for Chelsea. I would like to see him still at the club with [Alvaro] Morata coming off the bench. Morata is a good footballer, he has got great feet and is good header of the ball, but Costa was a pest.

"I just thought the fella was absolute outstanding."